(2)33 
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'rHB  PA81I1EBS  euiDE 

AMD 

FIBID  COMPAINION 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 
PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
'  MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


MANURES, 

THEIR 

COMPOSITION,  PREPARATION, 

AND 

ACTION  UPON  SOILS ; 

WITH  THE 

QUANTITIES  TO  BE  APPLIED. 

BEING  A  FIELD  COMPANION  FOR  THE  FARMER. 
FROM  THE  FRENCH  OF  STANDARD  AUTHORITIES. 

BY 

CAMPBELL  MORFIT. 

PRACTICAL    AND   ANALYTIC    CHEMIST. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

LINDSAY  AND  BLAKISTON. 

1848. 


HnteretJ  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1848, 
by  Lindsay  &  Blakiston,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the 
District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


Wm.  S.  Young,  Printer. 


S6S>3 


AGfilC. 
LIBRARY 


PREFACE. 

The  purpose  of  the  present  work,  which  is 
taken,  almost  entirely,  from  papers,  (by  F***  and 
Mallet,)  in  the  "  Dictionnaire  des  Arts  et  Manufac- 
tures," is  to  present  to  the  Agricultural  public,  in 
a  familiar  and  intelligible  manner,  the  methods  by 
which  to  restore  and  preserve  the  fertility  of 
Soils. 

The  qualitative  and  quantitative  adaptation  of  alii 
the  various  manures,  their  composition,  relative 
value,  modes  of  preparation  and  behaviour,  are- 
fully  considered;  and  the  incidental  and  expressivr- 
tabular  matter  with  which  the  Book  is  further  ers- 
riched,  render  it  emphatically  the  Farmer's  Guidi 
Book  and  Field  Companion. 


[^364365 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Manures. — Stimulants: — Definition  of;  Their  Sources,  Pro- 
perties, Applicability,  and  Behaviour;  Determination  of  their 
Value. 

CHAPTER  II. 

Nitrogen.— Its  role  in  Agriculture,— Its  Source. 

CHAPTER  m. 

Mineral  Mandiies. — Their  Saline  contents  indispensable  to 
the  growth  of  Plants; — Modes  of  Application  to  the  Soil; — 
Increase  of  their  Efficacy  and  Admixture  with  Nitrogenous 
Matters; — The  Best  Manure  Defined; — Chaviteau's  Artificial 
Manures;— J auffret's  Compost; — Tables  of  the  Analysis  of 
Vegetable  Ashes. 

CHAPTER  IV, 

NiTROGENODs  Manukes.— Bam- Yard  Manure,— Its  Prepara- 
tion and  Mode  of  Application;— Analysis  of  the  Normal 
Manure  and  its  Ashes. 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

EiCEETED  Matters. — {Nitrogenous  Manures;)  Horse 
Dung,  Cattle  Dung,  Hog  Dung,  Sheep  Dung,  Bat  Dung, 
Colombine,  Chicken  Dung ; — Their  Composition  and  Appli- 
cability to  Soils; — Guano,— Its  Analysis, — Proportion  per 
Acre; — Excrements  of  Fish; — Human  Excrements; — Pou- 
drette; — Their  Composition,  Preparation,  and  Modes  of  Ap- 
plication:— Faecal  Matters, — Disinfection  of: — ^'Animalized 
Black;" — Preparation  of: — Flemish  Manure,  or  Gadoue, — 
Preparation  of: — Deodorization  of, — Modes  of  Increasing  their 
Fertilizing  Power. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Animal  DE^nxs.—(Mtrogenous  Manures,-)  Flesh, — Blood, 
— Bones, — Horn  Shavings  and  Chippings, — Fish  Ofial, — 
Glue  Maker's  Residue, — Cracklings — Woolen  Rags, — Sugar 
Refinery  Refuse ; — Their  Modes  of  Treatment,  and  Applica- 
tion to  the  Soil. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
JNiTROGENODS    MiNERAL    SuBSTANCEs — Marl, — Trez    or 
Tangue, — Soot, — Picardy  Ashes  ; — Vitriolic  Ashes, — Their 
Composition  and  Behaviour  as  Manures. 

CHAPTER  VHI. 

EcoBUAGE.— Definition  of,  and  how  practised,— Its  Object  and 
Effects. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Vegetable  Substances. — Green  Manures,— How  Applied, 
and  Mode  of  Action: — Sea  Weeds, — Reeds, — Ferns, — Heath 
Box, — Meadow  Grass, — Lupine, — Beans, — Vetch, — Rye, 
—Spurrey,— Buckwheat, — Madia,— Rapeseed. 


CONTENTS.  ▼!! 

CHAPTER  X. 

Vegetable  Debris. — (Nitrogenous  Manures,-)  Spit  Dung- 
car  Marsh  Muck,— Peat,— Barley,  Waste  or  Malt  Dust, — 
Grape  Cake,— Cider  Cake,— Starch  Grains, — Beet  Pulp, — 
Tan, — Torteaux; — How  used,  and  in  what  Proportions. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Tables  of  the  Comparative  Value  of  Nitrogenous  Manures. 

CHAPTER  Xir. 
Mineral  Manures. — Amendments  or  Ameliorators: — 
Lime, — Marl, — Wood  Ashes, — Leeched  Ashes, — Peat 
Ashes, — Coal  Ashes, — Alkaline  Salts, — Nitrate  of  Potassa, — 
Nitrate  of  Soda,— Common  Salt, — Chloride  of  Calcium, — 
Sulphate  of  Soda,— Plaster, — Ammoniacal  Salts, — Water, — 
Gas  Lime, — Green  Sand. 

Appendix. — Disinfection; — Modes  of,  and  the  Results  and  Be- 
nefits;— Siret's  method, — Suquet,  Kraft,  and  Schattenmann's 
plan,— Salmon's  process, — Derosne  and  Huguin's  process. 


M  A  N  U  E  E  S 


CHAPTER  I. 

The  term  manure  is  applicable  to  all  sub- 
stancesj  animalj  vegetable  or  mineral,  which  can 
augment  or  restore  the  fertility  of  the  soil.  In 
former  times  the  title  was  limited  to  matters  of 
organic  origin;  whilst  the  name  of  stimulant 
was  reserved  for  those  saline  or  alkaline  mine- 
ral substances,  that  vvere  considered  as  fit  only 
to  facilitate  the  assimilation  of  the  principles 
which  constitute  the  manures.  The  well 
known  labours  of  Boussingault,  Payen,  Gas- 
parin,  Liebig,  &c.,  have  removed  this  distinc- 
tion, in  proving  by  numerous  analyses,  and 
carefully  executed  experiments,  that  the  earthy 
and  alkaline  salts  are  as  indispensable  to  the 
nutrition  of  plants  as  nitrogen  itself.  Hence, 
the  best  manure  is  that  which  can  present  to 
the  growing  plant,  under  an  assimilable  form, 
not  only  the  nitrogen,  but  all  the  other  princi- 
ples which  enter  into  its  composition. 


(      14      ) 
We  can  readily  conceive  of  what  great  advan- 
tage it  would  be  to  the  farmer  to  know  the  ex- 
act composition  of  the  plants,  and   of  the  soil 
which  grows  them  ;  and  also  of  the  manure  de- 
signed for  their   nutrition.     Chemistry  has  al- 
ready partially  supplied  these  desiderata,  and 
its  researches  are  certainly  destined  to  play  an 
important  part  in  agriculture.     The  utility  of 
such  knowledge  can  be  better  made  evident  by 
some   examples.     The  vine,  for  instance,   al- 
ways contains  a  large  proportion  of  tartrate  of 
potassa  ;   and   it  is  obvious,  that  if  neither  the 
soil  or  manure  can  furnish  the  base  in  sufficient 
proportion,  the  vine  will  suffer  and  yield  only 
a  meagre  harvest;  in  fact,  this  happens  under 
many  circumstances.     Wheat   contains   phos- 
phates in  such  amount,  that  its  ashes  frequently 
yield  one-half  of  their   weight  of  phosphoric 
acid.     Now,  the  majority  of  soils  contain  only 
traces  of  phosphates,  and  therefore  it  is  of  the 
first  importance  that  the  manure  intended  for 
the  nutrition  of  wheat  should  hold  an  adequate 
proportion.     Straw,  and  the  stalks  of  a  great 
number  of  plants  contain  a  large  proportion 
of  silica;  grass  or  clover  require  abundance 
of  lime,  and  some  other  plants  only  prosper 
by  the  assimilation  of  soda.    These  plants,  there- 


(      15     ) 

fore,  must  find  in  the  soil,  or  by  default,  in  the 
manure,  those  matters  which  they  prefer. 

The  day  is,  doubtless,  rapidly  approaching 
when,  aided  by  chemistry,  we  can  determine 
the  exact  amount  of  substance  removed  from 
the  soil  by  the  crops,  and  then,  as  Liebig  says^ 
the  farmer,  as  in  a  well  organized  manufactory^ 
may  keep  his  set  of  books  in  which  to  record, 
according  to  the  crops,  the  nature  and  exact 
quantity  of  the  principles  necessary  to  sustain 
the  fertility  of  each  of  his  fields. 

Substances  contributive  to  the  growth  of 
plants  are  of  two  kinds:  First,  those  of  the  or- 
ganic kingdom,  as  nitrogen,  oxygen,  hydro- 
gen and  carbon :  Second,  those  which  consti- 
tute the  ashes  of  the  crops,  and  consisting  of 
earthy  and  alkaline  salts.  The  first  are  ab- 
sorbed partially  from  the  atmosphere;  the  se- 
cond, on  the  contrary,  are  furnished  to  the  plant 
only  by  the  soil  or  manures.  Indeed,  Bous- 
singault  has  proved,  by  direct  experiments,  that 
the  organic  matter  of  plants  is  always  harvested 
in  greater  proportion  than  that  introduced 
through  the  medium  of  manures;  hence,  as  this 
result  always  occurs,  the  excess  must  necessa- 
rily be  furnished  by  the  atmosphere.  On  the 
next  page  is  the  average  of  the  results  of  some 


(     16     ) 

analyses  of  the  products  of  six  different  plat.«. 
containing  a  large  number  of  plants. 

Dry  Crop :  1000  parts.         Manure  used:  442  parts. 

Com.  of  the  crops.  Com.  of  the  manure.  Difference. 

Carbon,         46.4.  15.9.  30.5. 

Hydrogen,    54.6.  18.7.  35.9. 

Oxygen,     416.0.  114.0.  302.0. 

Nitrogen,      12.4.  8.8.                              3.6. 

Salts,           53.0.  141.7.  88.7. 

^^  It  is  to  be  particularly  remarked,  that  the 
oxygen,  hydrogen  and  carbon,  contained  in 
the  crop,  form  a  total  much  greater  than  that  of 
the  manures;  and  these  results  would  even  in- 
duce the  belief  that  manures  have  but  a  secon- 
dary importance  in  furnishing  these  three  bo- 
dies, if  direct  experiments  had  not  proved  their 
efficacy  in  this  respect.  Happily,  the  sub- 
stances supplying  these  principles  to  plants  are 
found  abundantly  in  nature.  The  leaves  of 
trees  and  of  a  great  number  of  plants,  the  roots 
and  stubble  of  preceding  crops,  the  straw  of 
the  gramineals  and  all  vegetable  and  animal 
matters  in  general,  contain  them  plenteously. 
In  a  word,  the  air  by  its  oxygen  and  carbonic 
acid; — water  by  its  elements  and  the  gases 
which  it  always  holds  in  solution  ;  and  a  multi- 
tude of  other  substances  procurable  at  low 
prices,  all  contribute  in  supplying  to  plants  the 


(      17     ) 

oxygen,  hydrogen  and  the  carbon  requisite  for 
their  existence. 


CHAPTER  II. 

NITROGEN. 

The  preceding  table  shows  that  the  amount 
of  nitrogen  in  the  crops  is  also  greater  than 
that  of  the  manure,  but  the  difference  is  less 
remarkable.  The  role  of  this  element  in  agri- 
culture is  most  important;  and  as  every  thing 
relating  to  its  mode  of  action  is  of  great  inte- 
rest, we  quote  here  the  opinions  of  that  learned 
and  skilful  chemist,  Boussingault. 

"I  have,  I  believe,  established  by  my  nume- 
rous analyses,  that  in  extensive  cultures,  the 
nitrogen  comprised  in  a  succession  of  crops 
always  exceeds,  and  frequently  in  a  large  pro- 
portion, that  originally  existing  in  the  manures 
consumed  in  their  production.  This  excess  is 
evidently  derived  from  the  atmosphere,  and  in 
that  case  it  is  more  than  probable  that  a  portion 
of  it  enters  the  plants  in  the  form  of  nitrate  of 
ammonia,  a  nitrate,  which  according  to  Lie- 
big's  analyses,  is  frequently  found  in  rain  wa- 
ter falling  during  a  storm.  In  that  event  it 
must  be  an  electrical  phenomenon,  that  dis- 
2* 


(  18  ) 
poses  the  nitrogen  of  the  atmosphere  to  combine 
with  the  plants.  But,  before  speaking  deci- 
sively as  to  this  explanation,  it  must  be  ascer- 
tained whether  the  nitrate  of  ammonia  can 
really  contribute  to  the  production  of  the  nitro- 
genous principles  met  with  in  all  the  plants.'' 

More  recently  Boussingault  has  added,  that 
"the  nitrogen  can  enter  directly  into  the  or- 
ganism of  plants  if  their  green  parts  are  quali- 
fied for  its  fixation  :  it  can  also  be  carried  into 
plants  by  the  water  (always  aerated)  which  is 
imbibed  by  their  roots.  Indeed,  some  philo- 
sophers are  of  opinion  that  the  atmosphere 
probably  contains  an  infinitely  small  quantity 
of  ammoniacal  vapours." 

Liebig  is  of  the  opinion,  that  this  excess  of 
nitrogen  proceeds  from  the  ammonia  imbibed 
by  the  plants  from  the  atmosphere  wherein  it 
is  found,  but  in  such  minute  quantities  that  the 
most  delicate  tests  frequently  fail  to  detect  its 
presence. 

The  nitrogen  of  the  air  is,  in  most  cases,  far 
from  sufficient  for  the  complete  growth  of 
plants,  or  at  least  for  the  production  of  an  abun- 
dant harvest.  Most  agriculturists  even  believe 
that  many  entire  families  of  plants,  as  the 
gramineals,  are  incapable  of  assimilating  it. 


(     19     ) 

Nitrogenous  matters  are  rarer  and  more  costly 
than  other  organic  substances,  but  at  the  same 
time  they  are  of  the  first  importance  in  their 
application  to  agriculture.  Nitrogen,  then,  is 
the  element  most  desirable  in  the  manure  ;  or  in 
other  words  the  organic  matters  most  advanta- 
geous in  the  production  of  manure  are  just 
those  which  give  birth,  by  their  decomposi- 
Hon,  to  the  greatest  proportion  of  soluble  or 
volatile  nitrogenous  bodies;  we  say,  by  their 
decomposition,  because  the  mere  presence  of 
nitrogen  in  a  matter  of  organic  origin  is  not 
sufficient  to  characterize  it  as  a  manure.  Coal, 
for  instance,  contains  nitrogen  in  very  appre- 
ciable quantities,  and  yet  it  has  no  ameliorant 
action  upon  the  soil;  for  the  reason  that  it  re- 
sists the  putrefactive  action  of  the  atmospheric 
agents,  which  always  produces  ammoniacal 
salts  and  other  nitrogenous  compounds  favour- 
able to  the  growth  of  plants. 

For  like  reasons  the  activity  of  manures  is 
proportional  to  the  rapidity  of  their  decompo- 
sition. Those  which  decompose  quickly,  cease 
their  fertilizing  influence  after  a  year,  whilst 
the  action  of  those  which  decompose  slowl}^ 
is  prolonged  for  several  years  and  more.  This 
duration  of  action  is  a  matter  for  serious  con- 


(     80     ) 

sideration;  it  depends  frequently  upon  the  co- 
hesion of  the  substances  and  their  insolubility: 
the  climate  and  nature  of  the  soil  also  greatly 
influence  the  progress  of  their  decomposition. 
Convinced  of  the  importance  of  nitrogen  in 
manures,  Payen  and  Boussingault  undertook  a 
series  of  analyses  for  the  determination  of 
the  proportion  of  this  element  in  the  nume- 
rous matters  used  as  fertilizing  agents. 

The  results  of  these  labours  have  enabled 
them  to  establish  the  comparative  rank  and 
equivalents  of  the  manures  examined.  Barn- 
yard dung,  which  they  consider  as  the  normal 
manure,  is  taken  as  the  standard.  We  will 
insert  the  tables  further  on. 

There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the 
propriety  of  this  mode  of  estimating  the  value 
of  manures;  for  while  all  acknowledge  that 
the  influence  of  nitrogen  under  assimilable 
forms  is  never  prejudicial  to  plants,  but  is  al- 
ways useful,  and  even  indispensable  for  certain 
purposes,  Liebig  contends  that  the  efficacy 
of  manures  is  not  proportional  to  their  amount 
of  nitrogen.  In  support  of  this  opinion  he 
cites  a  large  number  of  examples.  He  believes 
that  the  effect  of  the  ammonia  presented  to  the 
plants,  as  a  source  of  nitrogen,    by    artificial 


(     31      ) 

means,  is  limited  to  the  acceleration  of  the  de- 
velopment of  the  plants  under  cultivation; 
and  that  there  are  other  circumstances  vvhicli 
have  a  remarkable  influence  upon  the  growth 
of  the  crops.  We  will  recur  to  this  very  im- 
portant point  vv^hen  speaking  of  mineral  ma- 
nures. 

« 

CHAPTER  III. 

MINERAL  MANURES. 

Plants  invariably  contain  earthy  and  al- 
kaline matters,  indispensable  to  their  growth 
and  perfect  vitality.  A  single  example  is  suf- 
ficient to  show  the  necessity  of  the  presence 
of  certain  salts  in  plants.  The  bony  frame  of 
animals  owes  its  stiffness  to  the  phosphate  and 
carbonate  of  lime,  and  these  calcareous  salts 
must  therefore  be  furnished  by  the  food ;  for 
all  aliments  are  definitively  derived  from  the 
vegetable  kingdom. 

Another  evidence  of  the  utility  of  salts,  is 
the  fact  that  plants  do  not  indifierently  receive 
those  which  are  conveyed  to  them,  but  really 
exercise  a  power  of  preference.  This  pro- 
perty and  the  utility  of  selected  mineral  sub- 


(  22  ) 
stances,  is  well  attested  by  the  agricultural  ex- 
periments and  conclusive  analyses  of  Bous- 
singault.  Thus,  some  plants  imbibe  salt  upon 
the  same  soil  where  others  take  up  none  or 
but  small  quantities.  Pellitory,  nettle,  bo- 
rage, covetous  of  nitrates,  select  them  from 
the  soil,  while  other  plants  growing  by  their 
side  contain  only  traces  of  them.  Wheat 
upon  the  same  land  takes  up  eight  times  more 
phosphoric  acid  than  beets  or  turnips ;  oat  and 
wheat  straw  contain  fifty  or  sixty  times  more 
silica  than  the  oats  and  wheat  themselves. 
These  are  only  a  few  of  a  number  of  conclu- 
sive examples  that  could  be  cited.  On  the 
other  hand,  it  is  well  known  that  plaster  is  fa- 
vourable to  the  leguminous  plants,  and  Bous- 
singault  has  shown  that  it  produces  no  effect 
upon  wheat.  It  is  known  also  that  certain 
plants  prefer  particular  kinds  of  soil  on  ac- 
count of  the  principles  which  they  contain ; 
thus  the  fern,  chestnut,  and  the  vine,  require 
salts  abundant  in  potassa. 

These  multiplied  facts  prove,  as  Gasparin 
well  says,  that  it  is  not  a  definite  amount  of 
any  one  nutritive  principle,  but  the  choice  of 
several  different  ones,  which  is  required  for 
plants.      We   do  not  mean  to   say  that  the 


(     23     ) 

plant  does  not  under  certain  circumstances 
take  more  or  less  quantity  of  salts,  or  that  cer- 
tain salts  are  not  substituted  for  others;  as 
instance,  Soda  for  potassa,  &c.,  no;  but  it  is 
certain  that  when  a  plant  finds  in  the  soil 
those  substances  which  predominate  in  its 
ashes,  it  prospers  much  better  and  yields 
more  abundant  harvests. 

The  exact  analyses  of  the  ashes  of  plants, 
must  determine  which  of  the  mineral  manures 
are  most  favourable  to  their  growth  and  exis- 
tence. Many  chemists  have  been  occupied 
upon  these  analyses,  and  we  give  a  synopsis 
of  their  labours  in  tabular  form,  on  page  25. 

In  examining  the  tables,  it  will  be  ob- 
served that  there  is  a  striking  similarity  in 
the  principal  results,  although  the  plants 
analyzed  came  from  soils  of  different  composi- 
tions. Thus,  it  is  seen  that  the  ashes  of  clo- 
ver always  contain  a  considerable  proportion 
of  carbonate  of  lime,  and  herein  is  explained 
the  efficacy  of  plaster  or  lime  in  the  culture 
of  those  plants.  The  ashes  of  potatoes,  of  Je- 
rusalem artichokes,  of  kidney  and  common 
beans  contain  fifty  per  cent,  and  more  of  potas- 
sa;  the  ashes  of  wheat  give  proportionally 


(     24     ) 

less,   but    invariably    contain  an    enormous 
amount  of  phosphates. 

These  remarkable  and  uniform  results  indi- 
cate therefore  what  mineral  substances  are 
proper  accompaniments  of  the  nitrogenous 
manure,  in  the  culture  of  the  different  plants, 
in  order  to  render  them  productive. 


'^^ 


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Carbonate  of  Fotassa 
Carbonate  of  Soda 
Sulphate  of  Fotassa 
Chloride  of  Sodium 
Sulphate  of  Soda 
Silicate  of  Potassa 
Carbonate  of  Lime 
Magnesia 

Phosph  I te  of  Tiime 
Phosphate  of  Magnesia 
Phosphate  of  Iron 
Phosphate  of  Alumina 
Phosphate  of  Manganese 
Silica 

02 


<; 


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32.5 

35.5 
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2.80 

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36.0 

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32.0 
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OO     O     O        LOsi*W 

CONTENTS  OF 
ONE  HUNDRED  PARTS. 

Potassa, 

Phosphate  of  Potassa, 

Chloride  of  Potassium, 

Sulphate  of  Potassa, 

Earthy  Phosphates, 

Earthy  Carbonates, 

Silica, 

Metallic  Oxides, 

Loss, 

•ssoj  'ajn? 
-sioui  'uoqiB;f) 


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•02p  'BimnruB 
'uoit  JO  aprxQ 


•Borng 

OOrtOeCOC^OCCOOlO 
O"  X  O  CC  — *  t^'  CC  O  lO  r-^  ^  o 

•BpOg 

g  O  ^   g   g  CO  O  ■^  >J^  o  o  o 

•CSSBIOJ 

L-^  o  t^  ic  LO  !?» cr.  L's  -o  M  ->  w 
^  d  cc  'a-*  C-:  ci"  3^'  -^^  cc  o"  o  id 
iccoco-'j'S^j      ^ojG^eo'3"^ 

•EisaugEj^ 

rfTfCOXCiOJ>aOCOCiLOO 

td  •<^  'T  -^  o  o  t>.'  G<(  cc  -^  -<  ao 

•8lHir[ 


oooc5COCiL':ii^co-o--aq^ 
i-^t>d5^c^'adc^x^doio 


•auLtoinQ 


WidWr4  acSd-^C?' 


d  d 


-i3    o 


coo  —  OOO— 'CiOCOr-jOOOJ 

—  d  CD  d  J>  CO  -^  CO  d  d  d  Ts? 

,_,  ^  ^         „  CO  C^  JO 


9  ^ 


^ociS^ooo  —  iot>.co«5 
i>  —  doi  —  r^-^'TfriTpi-J'-H 


o 


l-s 


rr  —  OOOOt»<?*OOCOO 

CO  d  TH  ^  o  d  -h"  co'  lo  d  CO  1-J 


& 


o  —  .sr  c3  ca  C3 


'UOJI  JO  SpiXQ 

-^ 
^ 

O  O  W        O  :0  Tt  Ci    g     .     . 

od  o  t^      trj  d  ,.;  d  «  r2  .'2 

•Boing 

ooci'<4''ot>.o»-r»'L':)<©co 
dco  3^*  dwfNd«3ddd 

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pire  BSSEJO J 

'§ 

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•msauSBj^ 

§ 

t»aqciTj«x>ccooioi>.'!fio 

«0  CX)  irj  Tf  C5  CO  — '  c^*  oi  d  o 

•aroiT 

§ 

•auijo[qo 

■§ 

CO  o  ifi  o  ^  d  CO  00"  d  d  d 

< 

Sul- 
phuric. 

oqoj(Mcoo-^t>.t^ot^o 

oo?3t^O(Md!?ij>r^dF.^ 

Phos- 
phoric. 

§ 

•aiepaqjadsaqsE 
JO  iCjijUBn^ 

§ 

T);  oq  q  iq  M  «5  T}.  5^  crs  CO  <o 

1—  ^CO        ^             CO 

•dojoatpjosiJBd 
OOiqsaqsv 

3 

qeoo'^qq— ,1^,-LOO 

■^CDCO(Mi>Trif3i>COCOCO 

•dojD  ^d 

3 

»rt(?JOXlOr}<C0C5X)O-^ 

CO  CO  o  !^  w -H  ;i-.  §  °^  S  55 

NATURE  OF   THE 
CROPS. 

Potatoes, 

Beets, 

Jerusalem  artichokes, 

Wheat, 

Wheat  straw, 

Oats, 

Oat  straw, 

Clover, 

Peas,  dunged, 

Kidney  beans,  sound, 

Beans,  sound. 

3* 


30     ) 

This  important  question  is  even  at  this  day 
too  much  neglected,  and  it  is  more  frequently 
by  chance  than  otherwise,  that  the  alkaline 
and  earthy  salts  are  found  in  the  manures. 
It  is  true,  as  we  before  said,  that  nitrogen  is 
an  element  of  valuable  consideration  in  ma- 
nure; but  it  is  not  all-sufficient,  for  a  soil  that 
receives  only  a  purely  nitrogenous  nutriment 
will,  though  thereby  excited  to  vegetation,  be 
soon  exhausted  of  its  mineral  elements  and 
rapidly  rendered  sterile.  This  view  is  sup- 
ported by  daily  experience.  Are  we  not 
obliged  to  rotate  our  crops,  or  in  other  words 
to  cultivate  different  plants  alternately  upon 
the  same  soil,  as  a  bar  to  its  exhaustion  of  the 
same  mineral  substances?  ^Do  we  not,  in 
some  localities,  leave  the  ground  fallow  from 
time  to  time,  so  that  a  slow  decomposition 
may  re-produce  the  assimilable  salts  favourable 
to  vegetation?  It  is  very  evident  that  if  we 
restore  to  the  earth,  annually,  the  substances 
which  have  been  abstracted  by  the  crops,  it 
can  produce  the  same  results  indefinitely,  pro- 
vided all  things  are  concomitant  in  other  re- 
spects. 

In  calculating  the  value  of  nitrogenous  ma- 
nures by  their  content  of  nitrogen,  the  far- 


(     31      ) 

mer  should  also  take  into  consideration  their 
saline  components,  though  these  latter  have  a 
depreciated  worth  compared  with  nitrogen. 
It  is  thus  that  guano  and  bones,  which  contain 
a  large  quantity  of  phosphates,  should  be  pre- 
ferred, their  proportions  of  nitrogen  being 
equal,  to  other  manures  the  components  of 
which  besides  nitrogen  are  inert. 

Those  manures  which  contain  but  little  of 
mineral  matters,  as  ammoniacal  salts,  blood, 
wool,  &c.,  must,  previous  to  their  application, 
be  supplied  with  the  elements  which  are 
wanting. 

It  is  very  strange  that  the  decisive  results, 
from  the  use  of  lime  and  sulphate  of  lime  in 
the  culture  of  those  plants  which  absorb  a 
large  amount  of  that  earth,  Iiave  not  induced 
an  extension  of  the  experiments  to  all  the 
salts  useful  in  vegetation.  It  seems  evident, 
that  if  its  application  in  excess,  upon  the  sur- 
face of  fields  which  already  contain  it,  pro- 
duces good  effects  in  the  cultivation  of  clover, 
it  will  be  still  moreefficacious  upon  thoselands 
which  have  but  traces  of  this  salt. 

The  best  manure  therefore  is  that  ivhich 
will  restore  to  the  earth  all  the  sicbstances 
removed  from   it  by    the  crops.     There  is 


(     32     ) 

none  at  present  which,  in  itself,  combines  all 
these  qualities ;  barn  yard  manure,  enclosing 
nearly  all  the  matters  necessary  to  vegetation, 
is  the  nearest  to  the  standard,  but  still  is  not 
always  sufficient.  Its  proportion  of  phos- 
phates is  limited,  and  moreover  the  supply  of 
this  manure  is  not  equal  to  the  demand. 

An  intelligent  manufacturer,  Chaviteau,  has 
responded  to  this  want  of  the  farmer,  and,  fol- 
lowing out  the  principles  of  Boussingault? 
Pay  en,  Liebig  and  Gasparin,  has  founded,  at 
Paris,  an  establishment  for  the  manufacture  of 
manures  compounded  with  regard  to  the  soil 
and  the  nature  of  the  crops.  His  manures 
contain  not  only  sufficient  proportions  of  am- 
moniacal  salts  and  nitrogenous  matters,  but 
also  the  alkaline  salts  and  earthy  phosphates, 
sulphates  and  chlorides ;  in  a  word,  all  the 
matters  beneficial  to  the  diffei^nt  crops. 
There  were  others,  previous  to  Chaviteau, 
who  prepared  the  compound  manures  with 
more  or  less  success;  but  unfortunately  these 
preparations,  known  by  different  names,  rare- 
ly have  an  intrinsic  value  equal  with  their 
price.  Moreover,  through  ignorance  or  un- 
skilful manipulation,  their  composition  is  sel- 
dom or  never  uniform. 


(     33     ) 

Of  all  the  manures  or  mixtures  compounded 
for  the  amelioration  of  the  soil,  the  most 
known  is  that  of  Jauffret.  It  consists  of 
shrubbery,  stalks,  &c.,  soaked  with  a  ley  of 
dilute  animal  manures  and  saline  substances. 
These  latter  add  to  the  manure  the  elements 
which  are  wanting  in  the  shrubbery,  &c. 

The  recipe  is  empirical,  but  notwithstand- 
ing its  imperfections,  it  has  rendered  essential 
benefits  to  Provence,  a  poor  country  defi- 
cient in  grasses,  but  growing  upon  its  ex- 
hausted surface  a  vast  extent  of  wild  plants. 

After  these  theoretic  considerations,  we 
proceed  to  examine  the  principal  substances 
used  as  manures,  as  to  their  composition,  value 
and  preparation.  Firstly,  we  will  treat  of 
the  nitrogenous  manures  ;  then  follow  with 
those  of  mineral  nature  and  conclude  with  the 
ammoniacal  salts. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

NITROGENOUS  MANURES. 

Barn  yard  Manure.  We  treat  of  this 
first,  as  the  chief  means  of  the  farmer  for 
maintaining  the  fertility  of  his  soil.  It  con- 
sists generally  of  an  excipient  called  litter, 


(  34  ) 
because  it  serves  as  the  bed  of  the  animals^ 
and  this  litter  is  usually  straw,  stalks,  leaves 
or  the  like.  Those  substances  possessing  the 
double  advantage  of  absorbing  and  securing 
the  excrements  of  the  animals^  constitute  one 
of  the  best  manures.  It  is  evident  that  the 
value  of  the  uniformly  wetted  manure  is  pro- 
portional to  its  amount  of  excrements,  for 
these  latter  are  more  nitrogenous  than  the  lit- 
ter; the  best  manure  is  obtained  by  using  the 
minimum  of  litter,  taking  care  to  remove  it 
as  soon  as  it  becomes  saturated  with  the 
urine.  The  dung  should  be  removed  in  a 
wheelbarrow  to  a  neighbouring  department^, 
stacked  as  fast  as  it  is  produced  in  the  stalls^, 
and  the  juices  which  flowfrom  the  stalls  should 
be  collected  in  a  draining-well  located  beneath 
or  by  the  side  of  the  dung-heap ;  a  wooden 
grating  will  prevent  the  passage  of  the  straw. 
By  means  of  a  pump,  the  heap  can  be  irrigated 
with  the  juic-es  of  the  well  as  often  as  the  dry- 
ness of  its  surfaces  requires.  The  impregna- 
ted litter  should  be  stacked  carefully,  and  so 
as  to  prevent  a  too  active  fermentation,  vThich 
will  occasion  a  loss.  It  is  better  to  keep  it 
sheltered  from  both  sun  and  rain,  and  especial- 
ly from  contact  with  running  waters.     When 


(     35     ) 

the  high  price  of  straw  compels  an  economical 
use  of  that  material,  the  litter  may  be  washed, 
and  the  wash  water  caught  with  the  urine  in 
the  draining-well.  The  liquid  manure  thu5 
obtained  is  used  alone,  and  is  conveyed  to 
the  fields  in  hogsheads. 

The  urine  of  cattle  is  also  occasionally  used 
separately.  In  Switzerland  they  add  sulphate 
of  lim€(plaster,)  or  sulphate  of  iron  (copperas,) 
to  transform  the  volatile  carbonate  of  ammo- 
nia into  sulphate  of  ammonia,  which  is  a  fixed 
salt. 

It  has  been  frequently  questioned  whether 
there  is  advantage  or  injury  in  the  appli- 
cation of  dung  before  or  after  its  fermenta- 
tion^ but  experience  having  proved  that  the 
dung,  fresh  from  the  stalls,  undergoes  the 
same  alteration  and  generates  the  same  pro- 
ducts under  ground  as  when  left  to  ferment 
En  the  air,  the  question  then  is,  whether  it  is 
beneficial  to  permit  its  fermentation  in  the 
same  soil  which  it  is  to  manure  ?  Gazzeri, 
has  shown,  by  numerous  experiments,  that 
the  practice  of  leaving  dung  to  ferment  be- 
fore applying  it  to  the  fields,  occasions  a 
loss  of  valuable  principles,  and  hence  it  is 
more  advantageous  to  use  it  fresh  from  the 


(      36      ) 

stable.  These  fresh  excrements,  used  mode- 
rately, give  no  hinderance  to  vegetation,  as  is 
in  fact  proved  in  the  manuring  of  land  by  the 
folding  of  sheep  and  cows  whose  excrements, 
in  such  case,  pass  directly  into  the  soil. 

Notwithstanding  the  loss  in  nitrogenous 
matters  produced  by  the  fermentation  of  the 
dung,  it  is  the  practice  frequently  to  ferment 
the  juicy  portion  previous  to  applying  it  to 
the  soil.  The  only  advantage  of  this  process 
13,  that  it  hastens  the  action  of  the  manure. 

The  normal  manure  of  Payen  and  Bous- 
singault  came  from  the  farm  of  Bechelbronn 
belonging  to  Boussingault.  This  manure, 
furnished  by  thirty  horses,  thirty  horned  cat- 
tle, and  twelve  to  twenty  hogs,  dried  at  230° 
Fahr.  has  the  following  composition  : 


Carbon, 
Hydrogen, 
Oxygen, 
Nitrogen, 
Salts  and  earth. 

that 

35.8 
4.2 

25.8 

2.0 

32.2 

In  its  normal  state, 
ible,  it  contains — 

Carbon, 
Hydrogen, 

100.0 
is,  fresh  from  the 

7.41 
0.87 

(      3-      ) 


Oxygen, 

5.34 

Nitrogen, 

0.41 

Salts  and  earth, 

6.67 

Water, 

79.30 

100.00 

The  average  composition 

of  the  ashes  ac 

cording  to  Boussingault,  is  : 

Acids — Carbonic, 

2.0 

Pliosphoric, 

3.0 

Sulphuric, 

1.9 

Chlorine, 

0.6 

Silica,  Sand,  Clay, 

66.4 

Linne, 

8.6 

Magnesia, 

3.6 

Oxide  of  Iron  and  Alumina 

6.1 

Potassa  and  Soda, 

7.8 

100.0 
We  now  pass  to  the  consideration  of  the 
matters  excreted  by  different  animals,  and 
shall  separately  speak  of  the  dung  of  the  horse, 
cattle  and  hog  as  components  of  barn  yard 
manure,  and  of  which  we  have  as  yet  only 
summarily  treated. 


CHAPTER  V. 

EXCRETED  MATTERS,  (Nitrogcnous  Manurcs.) 
Horse  Dung.    Although  the  excrements  of 
the  horse  are  richer  in  nitrogen  than  those  of 
4 


(     38     ) 

the  cow,  the  latter  are  preferred  by  the  far- 
mers as  being  more  serviceable  ;  for  as  horse 
dung  is  less  humid,  it  ferments  and  dries  ra- 
pidly if  it  is  not  wetted  and  heaped  up  so  as  to 
prevent  the  action  of  the  air.  During  this 
fermentation,  a  considerable  proportion  of  ni- 
trogenous principles  are  dissipated,  and  hence 
a  depreciation  of  the  value  of  the  manure. 
The  2.7  per  cent,  of  nitrogen  which  the  fresh 
dung  actually  contains,  is  by  a  complete  de- 
composition reduced  to  one  per  cent. 

Horse  dung  is  appropriate  to  all  soils ;  in  a 
dry  state  it  contains,  as  we  have  said,  2.7  per 
cent,  of  nitrogen  ;  when  moist,  only  0.65  per 
cent. 

Cattle  Dung.  This  manure  is  much  more 
aqueous  than  the  preceding,  particularly  when 
the  cattle  are  in  pasture.  Its  preparation  is 
very  easy.  Cow  dung  in  a  dry  state  contains 
2.6  of  nitrogen  ;  when  moist,  0.36,  only. 

Hog  Dung.  Fattened  hogs  drop  very  ni- 
trogenous excrements,  which  consequently 
are  more  energetic  than  the  preceding.  In  a 
dry  state,  their  faeces  contain  3.4  nitrogen  ; 
when  humid,  0.61  only. 

Sheep  Dung.  A  very  energetic  manure, 
but   slightly   aqueous,   and    frequently   used 


(  39  ) 
without  any  previous  preparation.  The  dung 
is  swept  from  the  pens  daily,  and  heaped  into 
piles  whence  it  is  sold,  by  measure,  at  from 
ten  to  twenty  cents  per  bushel.  Generally? 
it  is  applied  to  the  fields  by  folding  the  sheep 
in  the  enclosures.  According  to  Boussin- 
gault,  one  sheep  can,  during  the  night,  ma- 
nure a  surface  of  about  three  and  a  half  square 
feet. 

Bat  Dung.  The  bottom  of  caves  fre- 
quented by  these  birds  are  often  covered  with 
their  excrements.  Their  application  to  the 
soil  produces  good  results. 

Colombine.  The  excrements  of  pigeons 
are  known  by  the  name  of  Colombine.  They 
are  favourable  to  all  crops,  but  being  very 
energetic  must  be  used  prudently.  In  the  de- 
partment of  the  Straits  of  Dover,  where  there 
are  vast  numbers  of  pigeons,  twenty  dollars 
are  paid  per  annum,  for  the  excrements  of  six 
or  seven  hundred,  which  is  a  large  wagon 
load.  This  quantity  suffices  to  manure  two 
and  a  half  acres  of  surface. 

Chicken  dung  is  also  very  active,  but  has  a 
less  value  than  colombine,  though  much  es- 
teemed in  southern  localities. 

Guano,     Guano  is  the  accumulated  excre- 


(     40     ) 

ment  of  multitudes  of  birds  which  congregate 

upon  a  number  of  small  islands  in  the  Pacific 

ocean,  the   coasts  of  Peru   and  Chili.     Upon 

some  of  these   islands  it  is  found  in  deposits 

of  sixty  to  seventy  feet  in  thickness.     Being 

an  extremely  valuable  manure,  it  has  become 

an  article  of  commerce,  and  is  imported  in 

large  quantities   for  the    fertilization   of  the 

soil.     Peru  and  Chili  are  indebted   to  it  for 

their  fertility. 

Fownes'  analysis  gave  as  its  composition  : 

Oxalate  of  Ammonia,  ^ 

Uric  Acid,  ? 

Traces  of  Carbonate  of  Ammonia,    ^  66.2 
Organic  Matter,  -^ 

Phosphate  of  hme  and  magnesia,  29.2 

Alkaline  phosphates  &  Chlorides,  ">         .r. 
Traces  of  Sulphate,  3 

100.0 
Girardin  found  in  guano  18.4  dry  uric 
acid,  equal  to  6.13  nitrogen,  and  13.0  am- 
monia, equal  to  10.73  nitrogen,  making  in 
all  16.86  nitrogen.  Payen  found  in  a  speci- 
men which  he  first  dried,  15.73  per  cent,  of 
nitrogen;  in  its  normal  state  the  sample  had 
only. 13. 95.*  Other  guanos  gave  but  6  to  7 
per  cent.,  and  this  discrepancy  in  composition 

*  See  the  "  Encyclopedia  of  Chemistry,"  for  analyses 
of  all  the  different  guanos. 


(     41     ) 

is  owing  either  to  the  sample  having  been  ta- 
ken from  different  strata,  or  else  to  the  trans- 
formation of  the  urateof  ammonia,  of  some  of 
them,  into  carbonate  of  ammonia,  which  is 
very  volatile. 

The  cost  of  guano  in  this  country,  varies 
from  twenty-five  to  forty  dollars  per  ton,  ac- 
cording to  quality. 

Experiments  made  in  France  have  deter- 
mined 250  to  500  lbs.,  as  the  proper  propor- 
tion per  acre.  Like  colombine  it  acts  ener- 
getically, and  should  therefore  be  used  with 
discretion.  The  composition  of  guano  con- 
firms its  origin,  and  moreover  the  island, 
which  furnishes  it  still  serves  as  a  refuge  for  a 
multitude  of  birds.  According  to  Humboldt's 
calculations,  even  supposing  the  surface  of 
these  islands  to  be  covered  with  the  birds, 
three  centuries  would  be  required  to  form  a 
layer  of  excrements  of  0.3937  inches  in  thick- 
ness, and  hence  we  can  only  conjecture  the 
length  of  time  consumed  in  the  formation  of 
these  vast  deposits. 

New  deposits  of  guano  have  been  found 
upon  the  coasts  of  Africa,  whence  it  is  ex- 
ported in  large  quantities.  This  guano  is 
less  nitrogenous  than  that  from  Peru. 


(     42     ) 

Excitements  of  Fish.  The  deposit  formed 
at  the  bottom  of  well  stocked  fish  ponds,  is 
an  excellent  manure,  and  according  to  Gas- 
parin,  produces  remarkable  results. 

Human  Excrements.  These  constitute 
one  of  the  most  energetic  manures.  They 
may  be  applied  fresh  from  the  privies,  as 
Is  done  around  Grenoble,  Lyons  and  Tus- 
cany. To  facilitate  their  more  uniform  dis- 
tribution over  the  surface  of  the  land,  they 
are  thinned  with  water.  In  China  these  fae- 
cal matters  are  carefully  collected  In  mains, 
running  the  length  of  the  principal  streets  and 
distributed  into  reservoirs,  to  be  diluted  with 
water  previous  to  application  to  the  plants. 
The  Chinese  sometimes  also  knead  them  with 
clay  to  form  them  Into  bricks,  which  when 
dried  and  pulverized  are  spread  over  the  fields. 
In  Paris  the  faecal  matters  are  converted  into 
poudrette. 

Poudrette.  The  ordure  of  Paris  is  trans- 
ported to  Montfaucon  and  emptied  Into  a 
graduated  series  of  large  reservoirs  ;  the  two 
most  elevated  of  these  cisterns  serve  alter- 
nately as  the  receptacles  for  the  nightly  col- 
lections of  the  contents  of  the  privies.  When 
one  of  the  basins  is  full,  the  more  liquid  su- 


(  43  ) 
pernatant  portion  is  drawn  off  into  a  third  cis- 
tern below;  this  third  basin  being  filled,  its 
contents,  after  repose,  deposits,  as  in  one  of 
the  first  two,  a  part  of  its  suspended  solid  mat- 
ter. The  more  fluid  portion  of  this  third  ba- 
sin is  led  into  a  fourth.  The  last  waters  are 
conveyed  through  a  sewer  into  the  Seine. 
The  completion  of  this  process  leaves  only 
the  pasty  matters  of  the  faeces,  which  are 
then  to  be  removed  with  drags  or  shovels 
and  spread  upon  the  hill-sides  and  stirred 
and  turned  until  perfectly  dry.  After  five 
or  six  days  the  matter  becomes  pulverulent, 
and  forms  poudrette,  which  must  be  piled 
into  heaps  and  beaten  on  their  surface  to 
prevent  the  infiltration  of  rain  through  the 
mass. 

In  its  normal  state  this  manure  contains  41.4 
per  cent,  water,  and  1.56  per  cent,  nitrogen;  in 
its  dry  state,  the  nitrogen,  equals  2.67  per  cent. 
Poudrette  weighs  55  pounds  per  bushel,  and 
sells  at  ^1.50  cts.  per  225  pounds.  It  is  used 
in  the  proportion  of  20  to  30  bushels  per  acre, 
and  should  be  applied  at  the  time  of  ploughing. 

The  effects  of  the  poudrette  are  unfortu- 
nately not  very  lasting;  sometimes  not  ex- 
tending even  to  the  fructification  of  the  cereals. 


(     44     ) 

It  imparts  to  grass  a  great  vigour,  but  at  the 
same  time,  it  is  said,  a  taste  repugnant  to  ani- 
mals. Boussingault,  in  his  observations,  has 
not  verified  this  assertion.  Sahiion  succeeded 
in  completely  disinfecting  fascal  matters  by 
mixing  them  with  the  carbonaceous  product 
of  the  calcination,  in  close  vessels,  of  a  calca- 
reous earth  containing  organic  matters,  the 
nitrogen  of  which  adds  itself  to  that  of  the 
manure.  It  is  the '' aiilmalized black.''  On 
the  next  page  is  given  the  plan  of  a  fur- 
nace for  the  preparation  of  this  black. 

Fig.  1.  is  a  vertical  cut,  fig.  2.  a  horizontal 
cut  of  the  furnaces.  The  same  letters  in  the 
two  indicate  the  same  objects;  a,  the  hearth 
whereon  the  combustible  is  placed,  by  the  ash 
pan  ;  c,  a  bed  for  the  reception  of  the  matter 
to  be  calcined ;  d,  a  vent  hole  establishing  the 
communication  between  the  furnace  c  c  and 
its  lower  gallery  a  a.  It  is  seen,  in  fig.  1,  that 
the  vent  hole  is  in  each  side  of  the  kiln;  e, 
the  gallery  under  the  hearth  of  the  furnace, 
into  which  the  products  of  combustion  enter 
in  passing  out  of  the  furnace,  and  again  heat 
the  hearth  by  contact;  f,  the  orifice  opening 
through  the  arch  of  the  furnace,  closed 
by  an  iron  plate,  and  serving  as  an  inlet  for 


45     ) 


the  substance  to  be  calcined,  which  latter 
must  first  be  spread  over  the  top  of  the  furnace 
to  dry ;  g,  the  furnace  door,  serving  for  the 
entrance  of  a  large  poker  with  which  to  stir 
the  calcining  matter  ;  o,  vent  hole  establishing 
communication  between  the  galleries;  e  and 
h,  h,  the  gallery  conveying  the  products  of 


46      ) 


the  combustion  into  the  chimney;  m,  ??^,  the 
chimney  conducting  off  the  gaseous  products 
of  both  the  combustible  and  calcined  matter  ; 
/,  a  damper  for  regulating  the  draft. 

Flemish  Manure.      The   method  usually 
fallowed  in  Flanders  for  the  utilization  of  or- 


(     47     ) 

dure,  is  much  more  rational  and  less  injurious 
to  health  than  the  manufacture  of  poudrette. 
This  term  of  Flemish  manure,  ov  gadoue, 
(night  soil,)  is  applied  to  the  human  excre- 
ments from  privies,  prepared  in  vaulted  cis- 
terns sunk  in  the  ground  by  the  road-sides 
convenient  to  the  farms.  These  cisterns, 
walled  with  brick  and  bottomed  with  stone, 
are  filled  during  the  leisure  periods  of  farm 
labour,  and  their  contents  left  to  ferment,  for 
some  months  previous  to  their  being  used. 
The  casks  should  be  kept  constantly  filled. 
The  gadoue  is  intended  principally  to  accele- 
rate the  growth  of  oleaginous  plants  and  to- 
bacco, which  derive  the  most  benefit  from  it. 
It  is  used  in  the  liquid  form,  and  is  conveyed 
to  the  fields  in  barrels,  whence,  after  being 
thoroughly  stirred,  it  is  dipped  in  large  iron 
ladles  and  spread  upon  the  seeds.  The  seeds 
are  warmed  into  a  rapid  developement  by  the 
fermentation  of  this  matter,  and  acquire  abun- 
dant nourishment.  Its  use  is  also  advanta- 
geous to  young  plants,  but  in  the  application, 
to  avoid  touching  the  leaves,  it  should  be 
carefully  poured  on  by  a  hand-dipper. 

It  requires  some  time  to  become  habituated 
to  the  repulsive  odour  emitted  by  the  night 


(     48     ) 

goil ;  these  emanations,  however,  are  not  insa- 
lubrious. 

Those  who  use  this  manure  very  frequently 
mix  with  it  the  powder  of  oleaginous  seed- 
cake. These  seed  residues,  by  reason  of  their 
content  of  vegetable  azotized  matter,  are 
themselves  a  very  good  manure. 

The  reservoirs  for  the  collection  of  the  ga- 
doue,  generally  contain  35  square  yards  of 
matter,  or  25  casks  each  of  from  300  to  400 
lbs.  and  costing  five  cents. 

According  to  Payen  and  Boussingault,  the 
Flemish  manure  contains,  in  its  normal  state, 
0.19  to  0.22  per  cent  of  nitrogen. 

For  the  modes  of  rendering  faecal  matters 
inodorous,  and  more  powerful  in  their  fertili- 
zing influence  than  poudrette,  see  Appendix. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ANIMAL  DEBRIS,  (Nitrogcuous  Mauures.) 
The  debris  of  dead  animals,  and  the  animal 
matters  from  slaughter-houses,  are  powerful 
manures  ;  and  when  they  can  be  readily  and 
economically  procured,  arq  valuably  useful  in 
agriculture.  The  flesh,  skin,  horns,  hair,  ten- 
don and  bone  pieces — all  are  useful. 


(     49     ) 

Flesh.  The  muscular  flesh  of  animals  is 
rarely  used  as  a  manure,  because,  it  is  of  greater 
vahie  for  feeding  hogs  ;  but,  such  as  is  not 
used  for  the  latter  purpose  can  be  dried  after 
previous  boiling,  and  then  powdered,  in  which 
state,  it  is  an  excellent  manure.  In  its  norma! 
state,  it  contains  more  than  the  half  of  its 
weight  of  water  ;  dried  in  the  air,  it  still  re- 
tains S  to  9  per  cent.  Perfectly  dried,  it  has 
14.25  per  cent,  of  nitrogen.  As  sold  in  com- 
merce, (^5  per  225  lbs.)  it  contains  13.04  per 
cent,  of  nitrogen. 

Blood.  The  blood  of  slaughtered  animal- 
is  less  suitable,  for  the  nutrition  of  hogs,  thai, 
muscular  flesh ;  it  sometimes  even  creates 
disease,  and  should  therefore  be  preferred  for 
the  fertilization  of  the  soil.  For  this  purpose., 
it  must  be  coagulated  by  ebullition,  and  then 
dried  in  a  furnace.  In  a  liquid  state,  it  is  ani 
improper  manure,  for  its  decomposition  is  so 
rapid  as  to  dissipate  the  resultant  products^ 
and  thus  depreciate  its  fertilizing  effects.  Ta 
obviate  this,  however,  it  is  only  necessary  tov 
dilute  the  blood  largely  with  water  and  there- 
with irrigate  the  fields ;  or  it  can  be  soaked 
into  calcined  humus,  and  then  spread  upon 
5 


(      50      ) 

the  soil.  According  to  Payen,  blood  perfectly 
dried,  contains  17  per  cent,  of  nitrogen;  when 
prepared  upon  a  large  scale,  it  has  14.87  per 
cent,  of  nitrogen,  and  costs  two  dollars  per 
one  hundred  pounds. 

Bone.  Bones,  when  freed  of  greasy  mat- 
ter and  crushed  between  grooved  iron  rollers, 
are  well  fitted  for  agricultural  use.  In  Eng- 
land, their  consumption  is  so  large  that  com- 
panies have  been  formed  for  their  importation 
from  foreign  lands.  If  the  grease  is  not  care- 
fully removed  by  boiling,  the  fat  reacts  upon 
the  carbonate  of  lime  of  the  bony  net  work, 
forming  a  soap  of  lime  which  resists  all  at- 
mospheric influences;  and  hence  an  impedi- 
ment to  the  fertilizing  influence  of  the  bones, 
especially  when  they  are  not  finely  powdered. 
Payen  has  shown,  that  old  whole  bones 
lost,  after  having  been  in  the  earth  for 
four  years,  but  0.18  of  their  weight,  whereas, 
when  previously  boiled,  they  lose,  under  the 
same  circumstances,  0.25  to  0.30.  But  fresh 
bone-dust,  in  a  dry  state,  contains  7.58  per  ct. 
of  nitrogen.  As  found  in  commerce,  it  con- 
tains 0.30  water,  and  5.30  nitrogen,  and  sells 
for  ^1  per  100  pounds. 


(     51     ) 

Bones  are  applicable  to  all  soils,  and  are 
persistent  in  their  action  through  four  or  five 
years.  The  scraps,  from  the  bone  turners  and 
button  makers,  are  mostly  absorbed  in  the 
manufacture  of  animal  black.  The  turnings 
only  are  used  in  agriculture,  and  for  manuring 
the  rich  vineyards  and  olive.  On  account  of 
its  extreme  division,  its  durability  does  not  ex- 
tend beyond  two  to  four  years. 

Boiled  bones,  which  have  also  been  ex- 
hausted of  their  gelatin  in  Papin's  digester, 
are  still  useful  as  a  manure.  These  residues, 
however,  act  only  through  one  year,  and 
moreover,  when  thrown  into  heaps,  rapidly 
ferment  and  lose  a  great  portion  of  their  ani- 
mal matter.  To  preserve  them  securely, 
Payen  recommends  their  thorough  desiccation 
and  subsequent  pulverization. 

Horn  Shavings  and  Clippings.  These 
are  also  appropriate  to  all  soils.  In  England, 
the  proportion  is  thirty  bushels  per  acre. 
Tendons,  hide  clippings,  hair,  feathers,  and 
bone  glue  residues,  are  all  applicable  in  the 
same  mode  and  under  the  same  circumstances 
as  bone  and  horn  turnings.  The  proper  pro- 
portion per  acre  can  be  calculated  from  their 
equivalent  of  nitrogen. 


(      52      ) 

Fish.  Fish  in  an  incipient  state  of  decay, 
when  dried  and  powdered,  form  an  excellent 
manure.  Dried  herring  contain  10.54  per  ct. 
of  nitrogen;  when  moist,  only  0.19.  Tho- 
roughly dried  Codfish  has  10.86   nitrogen. 

Glue  maker^s  Residue.  The  residue  from 
the  glue  kettles  consists  of  tendinous  and  cu- 
taneous matters,  hair,  residue  of  bones,  horn, 
muscles,  calcareous  soap  and  earthy  matters. 
This  mixture,  when  dried,  can  be  preserved 
for  a  long  time,  and  having  4  per  ct.  of  nitro- 
gen, is  consequently  a  good  manure. 

Cracklings.  The  dregs  of  all  kinds  of 
rough  suet  are  termed  cracklings.  They  con- 
sist chiefly  of  adipose  membranes,  still  im- 
pregnated with  a  little  fat,  of  blood,  muscle 
and  bone.  Formerly  they  were  used  as  food 
for  dogs,  but  they  also  yield  good  results  as  a 
manure.  They  contain  11  to  12  per  cent,  of 
nitrogen,  and  reach  the  market  in  hard  pressed 
cakes,  which  must  be  crushed  previous  to  ap- 
plication to  the  soil. 

Woollen   JRaors.     These  are  of  the  richest 

o 

manures.  The  slow  decomposition  of  the 
wool  renders  it  potential  for  six  or  eight  years, 
and  as  its  proportion  of  nitrogen  is  consider- 
able, it  is  very  convenient  for  transportation. 


(  53  ) 
Two  thousand  and  five  hundred  pounds  of 
woollen  rags  suffice  to  manure  an  acre  of  soil, 
but  unfortunately  this  valuable  agricultural 
element  is  only  to  be  had  in  large  cities. 
England  imports  it  from  Sicily  for  the  culture 
of  hops.  In  Provence  it  is  used  for  all  the 
crops.  The  rags  should  be  as  finely  divided 
as  possible,  so  as  to  facilitate  their  uniform 
distribution  over  the  surface  of  the  fields. 
According  to  Boussingault  and  Payen,  wool- 
len rags  contain  12.28  per  cent,  water,  and 
the  dry  matter  gives  20.26  of  Nitrogen.  In 
Paris  these  rags  cost  50  cts.  per  100  pounds, 
in  England  i^l.25  cts.  per  100  pounds. 

Refuse  Animal  Black.  In  the  refining  of 
sugars,  the  melted  syrup  is  mixed  with  bone 
black  and  clarified  with  blood.  The  filtered 
mixture  leaves  upon  the  cloth  a  deposit,  which, 
washed,  contains  all  the  charcoal  employed, 
the  coagulated  blood,  a  little  syrup  and  some 
vegetable  matters  contained  in  the  rough  su- 
gar. Thisproduct,  dried,  contains  nearly  21 
per  ct.  of  blood,  to  which  is  mainly  due  its  fer- 
tilizing action.  In  1824,  Payen  made  known 
its  value  as  a  manure,  and  since  then  more 
than  twenty  millions  of  pounds  of  refuse  ani- 
5* 


(     54     ) 

mal  black  are  annually  used  for  the  fertiliza- 
tion of  the  soil,  much  of  which  has  even  been 
imported  from  abroad.  The  syrup  contained 
in  this  residue,  by  its  fermentation,  generates 
alcohol  and  then  acetic  and  lactic  acids,  which 
are  unfavourable  to  the  development  of  plants, 
and  hence  the  use  of  this  residue,  imme- 
diately after  its  removal  from  the  filters, 
will  prove  disadvantageous.  If,  however,  it 
is  left  in  heaps  for  a  month  or  two  before 
being  applied,  the  prolonged  action  of  the  air 
transforms  the  animal  matter  and  generates 
ammonia,  which  not  only  neutralizes  the 
acids  resulting  from  the  fermentation  of  the  su- 
gar, but  even  imparts  an  alkaline  reaction  to 
the  product  ;  a  reaction  always  favourable  to 
vegetation.  Payen  found  in  a  quantity  of  ani- 
mal black  representing  two  hundred  and 
twenty-five  pounds  blood,  2.04  per  ct.  of  ni- 
trogen, but  the  results  given  by  this  manure 
are  greater  than  could  be  expected  from  this 
proportion.  This  black  costs  in  Paris  from 
60  to  75  cts.  per  100  pounds. 


(  55  ) 


CHAPTER  VII. 

NITROGENOUS  MINERAL  SUBSTANCES. 

There  are  some  mineral  substances  admix- 
ed with  nitrogenous  matters  used  as  manures; 
for  instance,  shells,  river  or  swamp  muck, 
and  the  saltpetre  earths  of  all  the  provinces. 
The  sea  sand  used  in  Brittany  is  called  merl. 
The  merl  is  a  muck  filled  with  shells  and  ani- 
mal matters,  from  which  it  derives  its  princi- 
pal properties.  It  is  found  abundantly  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  Morlaix,  whence  it  is 
drawn  up  by  a  drag.  The  roadstead  of  Brest 
and  the  river  Quimper,  also  yield  large  quan- 
tities. The  harvest  of  merl  is  made  from  Ma}^ 
fifteenth  to  October  fifteenth  in  lighters,  the 
contents  of  each  of  which  (16,000  pounds,) 
sells  for  80  cts.  to  ^1.00.  This  manure  should 
be  used  soon  after  it  is  taken  from  the  water, 
for  it  rapidly  disintegrates  in  the  air  and  par- 
tially loses  its  properties.  Merl,  by  reason  of 
its  calcareous  matter,  is  peculiarly  fitted  for 
argillaceous  soils.  According  to  Payen  and 
Boussingault,  the  Morlaix  merl  contains  in  a 
dry  state,  0.12  per  cent,  of  nitrogen.  Fresh 
from  the  see,  it  contains  one-half  its  weight 


(     56     ) 

of  water,  and  is  used  in  the  proportion  of  1260 
to  2320  pounds  per  acre.  This  manure  being 
rapidly  decomposed,  is  consequently  of  only 
limited  durability. 

*  Tangue,  the  seaside  sand,  constitutes  the 
soil  of  the  seaside  shores  in  many  localities  in 
the  vicinity  of  Morlaix.  It  should  be  washed 
to  remove  the  greater  portion  of  its  salt.  The 
little  of  animal  matter  which  it  contains  is 
dissipated,  by  putrefaction,  when  too  long  ex- 
posed to  air.  Hence  the  established  distinc- 
tion between  live  and  dead  Tangue;  the  lat- 
ter being  evidently  the  least  nitrogenous  of 
the  two. 

RoscofT's  dried  Tangue  contains  0.14  per 
ct.  of  nitrogen,  and  is  applied  in  the  propor- 
tion of  one  and  a  half  tons  per  acre. 

Products  of  the  Combustion  of  Plants. 
Soot.  Soot  is  used  in  large  quantities  by  far- 
mers, and  is  a  good  manure.  According  to 
Braconnot,  the  soot  of  a  wood  fire  chimney 
consists  of : 

Ulniic  Acid,  30.00 

Nitrogenous  matter  soluble  in  water,  20.00 
Insoluble  Carbonated  matter,  3.9 

Silica,  1.0 

♦  Tangue,  literally  sea  sand. 


(     57 


Carbonate  of  Lime, 

14.7 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia, 

trace 

Sulphate  of  Lime, 

5.0 

Ferruginous  Phosphate  of  Lime, 

1.5 

Chloride  of  Potassium, 

0.4 

Acetate  of  Lime, 

5.7 

Acetate  of  Potassa, 

4.1 

Acetate  of  Magnesia, 

0.5 

Acetate  of  Iron, 

trace 

Acetate  of  Ammonia, 

0.2 

Acrid  and  bitter  principle, 

0.5 

Water, 

12.5 

100.0 
Payen  and  Bousslngault  have  found,  that 
the  soot  of  coal  contains  more  nitrogenous 
matter  than  that  of  wood.  It  is  spread  over 
clover  and  young  wheat  in  the  proportion  of 
12  to  15  bushels  per  acre,  and  it  should  only 
be  applied  in  a  calm  and  rainy  season,  accord- 
ing to  the  recommendation  of  Mathieu  of 
Dombasle.  Soot  is  used  in  Flanders  for  cole- 
seed, in  the  proportion  of  sixty  bushels  per 
acre;  it  is  supposed  that  they  preserve  the 
young  plants  against  the  attack  of  insects.  Its 
cost  varies  from  thirty  to  forty  cents  per  100 
pounds. 

Picardy  Ashes.  These  ashes  result  from 
the  slow  and  incomplete  combustion  of  the 
pyritous  peats  used  for  the  manufacture  of 
alum  and  sulphate  of  iron.     When  the  peat  is 


(  58  ) 
heaped  up  it  is  moist,  and  in  presence  of  wa- 
ter the  sulphuret  which  it  contains  is  trans- 
formed into  sulphate.  The  heat,  developed 
during  the  oxidation  of  the  iron,  gradually  in- 
creasing, hastens  the  reaction,  and  finally  in- 
flames the  peat,  which  continues  to  burn  slowly. 
By  this  spontaneous  combustion,  we  obtain  a 
gray  ash  winch  serves  as  an  amendment  for 
meadows.  The  sulphate  of  lime  which  it 
contains,  is  not  the  sole  cause  of  its  beneficial 
action  upon  vegetation,  as  its  influence  in  this 
respect,  is  mainly  due  to  its  nitrogenous  con- 
stituents; for  analysis  show^s  that  it  has  half 
per  ct.  of  nitrogen.  Boussingault  thinks  that 
sulphate  of  ammonia  is  produced  during  the 
incineration  of  pyritous  peats.  Picardy  ashes 
are  sold  upon  the  spot  for  about  three  cents 
per  bushel,  and  they  are  applied  to  meadows 
in  the  proportion  of  4i  to  6  bushels  per  acre. 
Vitriolic  Jlshes.  These  so  called  residues, 
from  the  manufactories  of  copperas,  are  anala- 
gous  to  the  preceding.  Sometimes  the  leeched 
pyritous  earths  are  mixed  with  one-fourth 
their  weight  of  peat  ashes,  in  which  mixture 
they  are  applicable  to  meadows  and  to  sandy 
soils.  These  ashes,  more  nitrogenous  than 
the  Picardy,  contain  2.72  per  ct.  of  nitrogen. 


(     59     ) 
Below  is  their  analysis  by  Girardin  and  Bi- 
dards  : 

Soluble  organic  matter,  2.7 

Insoluble  Humus,  49.8 

Sulphate  of  proto  and  per  oxides  of  iron,     1.8 
Fine  sand,  39.0 

Sulphuret  and  per  oxide  of  iron,  6.7 


CHAPTER  Vlir. 


ECOBUAGE. 


Ecobuage  is  the  process  of  burning  the  or- 
ganic matters  of  a  soil  upon  their  own  locality, 
especially  when  they  are  poor  in  nitrogenous 
principles.  This  operation  transforms  the 
surface  of  the  soil  into  a  porous  and  carbona- 
ceous earth,  which  condenses  and  retains  the 
ammoniacal  vapours  disengaged  during  com- 
bustion ;  it  moreover  produces  alkaline  and 
earthy  salts  which  are  indispensable  to  vege- 
tation. A  too  perfect  combustion  will,  as  in 
the  preparation  of  pyritous  ashes,  cause  the 
dissipation  of  the  organic  principles,  and  con- 
sequently the  manure  ceases  to  be  nitrogenous. 
In  America  they  practise  Ecobuage  by 
setting  fire  to  the  fields  when  the  grass  is 
dry  enough  for  ignition.     Some  days  after  the 


(     60     ) 

fire,  a  new  and  vigorous  vegetation  will  be  ob- 
served shooting  above  the  soil.  Ecobuage 
can  also  be  accomplished,  by  removing  the 
uppermost  layer  of  soil  containing  the  organic 
matters,  and  forming  therewith  a  kind  of  fur- 
nace to  which  set  fire.  As  the  flame  makes 
its  way  through  this  mass  of  earth,  roots, 
turfs,  &c.,  add  green  turf  to  close  the  issues 
which  are  formed.  Thus  may  be  obtained  a 
slow  combustion,  which  enables  a  thorough 
absorption,  by  the  carbonated  earthy  envelope, 
of  all  the  gases  disengaged  during  the  opera- 
tion. 

The  object  of  this  process  (Ecobuage,)  is  to 
set  at  liberty,  by  a  slow  decomposition,  the 
principles  contained  in  the  vegetable  matters, 
and  thus  render  them  available  to  the  soil- 
In  this  way  we  can  hasten  the  circulation  of 
the  elements  of  the  plants  and  present  them 
in  a  state  for  immediate  assimilation  ;  whilst 
the  same  plants,  when  left  to  spontaneous  pu- 
trefaction, decompose  but  slowly  and  partially, 
and  produce  results  inappreciable  to  any  one 
crop. 


(     61      ) 


CHAPTER  IX. 

VEGETABLE  SUBSTANCES. 

Green  Manures.  Under  this  title,  are 
comprised  all  the  green  sprouts  of  roots  and 
tubercles  ;  such  are  the  fallen  leaves  of  carrots 
and  potatoes,  the  leaves  of  beets  and  turnips. 
As  these  materials  are  serviceable  both  as  ma- 
nure and  forage,  the  farmer  must  determine 
which  of  the  two  uses  is  most  profitable.  Ac- 
cording to  Boussingault,  these  substances  are 
only  middling  food,  but  excellent  manures. 
He  found  that  the  potato  tops  from  two  and  a 
half  acres  represent  1800  pounds  barn  yard 
dung,  supposed  to  be  dry ;  and  that  beet 
leaves  from  the  same  extent  of  surface  are 
equal  to  more  than  5800  pounds  of  same  ma- 
nure in  the  same  state  of  dryness. 

Marine  plants  are  a  species  of  green  manure 
which  serve  for  the  amelioration  of  the  soil 
neighbouring  to  the  sea  coasts.  These  strongly 
nitrogenous  plants  are  applicable  directly  as 
they  come  from  the  water,  or  in  a  semi-dried 
state,  macerated  or  even  partially  incinerated. 
They  act  as  well  by  their  saline  constituents 
6 


(  62  ) 
and  hygroscopic  properties  as  by  the  nitrogen 
which  they  contain.  Salmon  uses  then),  after 
having  been  dried  in  the  sun  and  powdered, 
for  the  disinfection  of  faecal  matters,  with 
which,  in  a  dry  state,  they  form  an  excellent 
manure,  containing  2.4  per  ct.  of  nitrogen. 

Sea-weeds.     In  England,  Scotland,  and  Ire- 
land, they  use,  under  this  title,  the  different 
plants   of  the  alga  family.     The  harvest   is 
made  from  the  surface  of  rocks  and  at  the 
bottom  of  the  sea  with  large  hoes  and  rakes. 
There  are  certain  regulations  peculiar  to  each 
locality,  as  to  the  time  and  mode  of  harvest. 
This  manure,  rich  in  salts  of  soda  and  potassa, 
has  the  great  advantage  of  being  entirely  ex- 
empt from  injurious  seeds.    The  different  fuci, 
after  being  drained,  have  0.75  of  nitrogen; 
dried  in  the  air,  they  still  retain  0.40.    In  this 
state  the  Fucus  saccharinus  possesses  1.38 
per  ct.  of  nitrogen,  and  the  Fucus  digitatus 
0.86  only:  completely  dried,  the  first  holds 
2.29,  and  the  second  1.41.     The  burnt  sea- 
weed contains  0.40  of  nitrogen. 

The  aquatic  plants  of  fresh  waters  are  also 
applicable  as  manure. 

Reeds.     Reed  is  the  most  used  of  fresh  wa- 
ter plants.     When  mowed  green  it  readily 


(     63     ) 

decomposes;  cut  at  the  time  of  blossoming; 
and  dried  on  the  place,  such  as  we  find  it  in 
commercej  it  still  retains  0.20  of  water,  and 
0.75  Nitrogen;  completely  dried,  it  gives 
1,10  of  its  weight  ashes  and  1.06 78  per  ct. 
Nitrogen.  Rendered,  by  maceration,  to  the 
same  state  of  moisture  as  dung,  it  contains 
0.267  Nitrogen.  It  is  used  for  manuring  the 
base  of  olive  trees,  and  prolongs  its  effects 
through  two  years. 

Ferjis.  Among  other  plants  used  for  fer- 
tilizing the  soil  are  the  ferns.  Their  propor- 
tion of  Nitrogen  has  not  been  rated,  but  they 
contain  a  notable  quantity  of  potassa  which  is 
very  advantageous  to  soils  deficient  in  that 
alkali. 

Heath.  This,  like  the  preceding,  is  also 
useful  in  agriculture.  The  leaves  contain  1.74 
Nitrogen,  but  the  stems  are  much  poorer  and 
more  valuable  as  fuel  than  as  manure. 

Box.  Box,  as  a  manure,  is  a  valuable 
resource  in  countries  bordering  calcareous 
mountains,  upon  which  it  grows  abundantly. 
The  leaved  branches,  after  having  been  trod- 
den under  feet  and  crushed  by  horses  and 
wheels,  ferment  very  readily.     In  the  green 


(     64     ) 

State  they  contain  1.17  per  ct.  Nitrogen,  and 
1.60  water;  in  the  dry  state,  2.89  per  ct.  Ni- 
trogen. 

In  some  mountainous  countries,  the  leaved 
pine  twigs  are  used  for  the  same  purpose. 

Meadows.  Meadows  require  to  be,  from 
time  to  time,  cleared  up,  for  the  nature  of  the 
soil  sometimes  prevents  their  indefinite  preser- 
vation in  a  proper  state.  In  a  field  bearing 
33,750  lbs.  of  grass,  per  2\  acres,  the  crop 
furnishes  a  manure  equal  to  1,500  lbs.  Nitro- 
gen for  a  like  surface,  and  yields  three  crops 
of  wheat,  amounting  in  all  to  205  bushels. 

Lupine.  The  Lupine  used  in  France,  as  a 
green  manure,  is  not  sown  until  March,  and 
must  be  turned  under  as  soon  as  it  is  in  flowers. 
This  plant  has  not  been  analyzed;  but  its 
powerful  effects  allow  the  inference  that  it  is 
very  rich  in  Nitrogen.  Lupine  seeds,  as  ana- 
lyzed by  Payen,  contain,  in  a  normal  state, 
3.49  Nitrogen,  in  a  dry  state,  4.35.  This, 
then,  is  a  rich  manure. 

Beans.  Bean-stalks,  in  flower,  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a  demi  manure;  they  are  used 
chiefly  in  fertilizing  lands  for  the  growth  of 
hemp. 

Vetch,     An  expensive  green  manure. 


{     65     ) 

Hyt.  When  turned  under  green,  has  a 
slight  fertilizing  influence,  but  not  equal  to  its 
cost. 

Spurrey.  Woght's  Spurrey  is  much  used, 
and  with  good  results.  If  a  field  is  consecu- 
tivel}^  sown,  and  turned  under  green  in  March? 
June  and  August,  the  effect  of  these  three 
herbages  will  equal  2,600  lbs.  manure  per 
acre.  This  plant  thrives  only  in  sandy  soils 
and  moist  climates. 

Buck-wheat.  According  to  Schwartz,Buck- 
wheat,  in  Germany,  is  never  turned  under 
until  all  hopes  of  a  harvest  are  lost.  Its  (dry) 
straw  contains  0.54  of  Nitrogen,  and  0.48 
after  having  been  further  dried  in  the  air. 

Madia  Sativa.  This  plant  has  been  used, 
as  a  green  manure,  by  many  farmers.  Bous- 
singault  and  Payen  consider,  that  the  resinous 
exudations,  enveloping  it,  render  necessary  a 
maceration  previous  to  its  being  turned  under. 
The  fanes  of  this  plant  contain  0.66  per  ct.  of 
nitrogen,  in  a  dry  state,  and  after  being  fur- 
ther dried  in  the  air  0.53. 

Rape-seed.  This,  of  all  other  plants,  has 
been,  and  is  the  most  generally  used,  as  a  ma- 
nure. Its  seed  has  the  great  advantage  of  being 
cheap,  and  10  to  15  lbs.  suffice  to  sow  an  acre* 
6* 


(     66     ) 

The  debris  of  plants,  the  stubble  of  the  dif- 
ferent cereals,  and  the  leaves  of  forest  trees  are 
also  considered  as  green  manures.  The  latter, 
however,  should  be  subjected  to  fermentation 
previous  to  their  application  to  the  soil. 

Of  all  green  manures,  those  furnished  by 
the  meadows  are  the  most  abundant  and  least 
costly.  The  use  of  other  plants  is  subordinate 
to  their  success,  especially  as  regards  their 
equivalent  of  Nitrogen.  In  the  majority  of 
cases,  it  is  preferable  to  cultivate  those  plants 
proper  for  the  nutrition  of  animals;  so  that  the 
soil  may  again  receive  a  greater  part  of  the 
elements,  while  the  other  portion  gives  rise  to 
an  animal  product  of  greater  value. 


CHAPTER  X. 

VEGETABLE    DEBRIS. 

Spit-dung.  The  muck  formed  at  the  bot- 
tom of  ponds  and  marshes  In  calcareous  lo- 
calities, though  poor  in  Nitrogen,  is  used  as  a 
manure.  Its  large  amount  of  Carbon  renders 
it  appropriate  to  land  deficient  in  that  material. 
The  richest  mucks,  and  the  most  advantageous 
to  agriculture,  are  those  which  have  not  been 
formed  under  water. 


(     67     ) 

Peat.  Peat  is  very  analagous  to  mould, 
differing,  however,  in  an  absence  of  matters 
soluble  in  water ;  nevertheless,  when  exposed 
to  air  and  moisture,  it  generates  a  certain 
quantity  of  soluble  alkaline  principles,  and 
hence  its  employment  in  certain  localities  as 
manure.  Peat  being  charged  with  tannin, 
vegetable  and  mineral  acids,  hydrogenated 
matters,  &c.,  requires  some  preparation  pre- 
vious to  its  application.  Used  as  a  litter,  in  a 
dry  state,  it  is  an  economical  substitute  for 
straw,  and  the  matters  which  it  absorbs  readily 
neutralize  its  acids,  and  augment  its  value  as 
a  manure.  It  is  also  used  admixed  with  dung; 
but  is  only  applied  to  agriculture  when  an  ex- 
cessive supply  diminishes  its  value  as  a  fuel. 

We  now  proceed  to  speak  of  the  residua  of 
different  plants,  whose  fruits,  roots  or  stems 
have  been  treated  for  the  extraction  of  their 
juices. 

Barley -waste  (Malt-dust).  The  waste  bar- 
ley which  has  served  for  the  production  of 
beer,  is  used,  with  success,  as  a  manure. 
Dried  upon  kiln-beds  it  equals  2\  times  its 
weight  of  dung,  and  takes  the  name  of  tou- 
raillons.  In  England,  they  use  fifty  to  sixty 
bushels  per  acre,  for  the  culture  of  wheat. 


(     68     ) 

Grape  Cake.  The  pressed  residuum  of 
grapes  contains  a  goodly  quantity  of  nitrogen, 
and  being  of  gradual  decomposition,  is  a  very 
durable  manure  for  vines.  Dried  in  the  air, 
il  contains  1.71  to  1.S3  nitrogen;  completely 
dried,  3.31  to  3.56. 

Cider  Cake.  The  residual  apple  cake,  from 
the  cider  press,  being  acid,  must  be  neutralized 
with  lime,  before  being  used  as  a  manure,  if 
the  soil  for  which  it  is  intended  is  not  itself 
calcareous.  By  admixture  with  dung  it  be- 
comes neutralized  without  manipulation. 

Starch  Grains.  The  pulpy  mass  from  the 
Starch  factories,differing  slightly  in  value  from 
that  of  the  potato,  is  still  useful  for  the  nutri- 
tion of  animals,  but  when  the  quantity  produced 
exceeds  the  demands  for  that  purpose,  they 
may  be  advantageously  employed  as  manure, 
especially  as  their  preservation  is  difficultly 
effiscted.  This  pulpy  matter  contains  seven- 
tenths  of  its  weight  of  water,  and  0.526  per 
ct.  of  Nitrogen  ;  when  completely  dry,  the 
Nitrogen  amounts  to  1.95.  The  scum  and 
sediment  of  the  lees  of  the  Starch  factories 
contain  0.005  Nitrogen,  nearly  equal  to  the 
amount  in  moist  farm-yard  dung.  Daily,  the 
proprietor  of  a  Starch  manufactory  near  Ver- 


(     69     ) 

sailles,  uses  the  waste  waters  of  his  establish- 
ment very  advantageously.  After  allowing 
them  to  settle,  he  draws  off  the  supernatant 
clear  portion  upon  the  neighboring  fields;  and 
drys  the  sediment,  which  forms  a  manure  of 
half  the  value  of  ordinary  poudrette. 

Beet  Pulp.  This  residue,  of  the  manufac- 
ture of  Beet  sugar,  is  most  generally  used  as 
food  for  cattle.  Fresh  from  the  press,  its  con- 
tent of  nitrogen  is  0.378  per  ct. ;  when  dried 
in  the  air,  1.14;  in  vacuo,  1.26. 

The  macerated  sliced  beets,  from  the  sugar 
process  of  Mathieu,  contain  too  little  nitrogen 
to  pay  the  expense  of  their  transportation. 

Tan.  Leeched  Tan,  from  the  leather  vats, 
after  being  dried  and  treated  with  lime,  to  neu- 
tralize its  residual  tannin,  can  also  be  used  as 
a  manure. 

Torteaux.  The  oleaginons  grains,  after  the 
extraction  of  their  oil,  leave  a  residue,  known 
as  torteaux.  These  residua  contain  nearly  all 
the  nitrogenous  matter  contained  in  the  plant, 
and,  being  but  slightly  moist,  form  an  excel- 
lent manure,  convenient  and  profitable  for 
transportation. 

The  most  used  are  the  marcs  of  olives,  cole- 
seed, madia,  flax-seed,  arachis,  all  very  rich 


(     70     ) 

in  Nitrogen.  There  are  also  the  torteaux  of 
cotton,  hemp,  camaline  seeds,  beech  nuts  and 
poppy s.  The  walnut  cake  is  reserved  ex- 
clusively for  the  nutrition  of  animals.  To 
render  these  residua  suitable  for  the  soil  they 
must  be  powdered,  and  spread  upon  the  bud- 
ding plants,  or  turned  under  the  soil  by 
ploughing.  As  moisture  is  indispensable  to 
the  successful  influence  of  the  powdered  cake, 
it  should  be  wetted  previous  to  its  application. 
In  England,  the  proportion  is  900  lbs.  per 
acre;  the  quantity,  however,  varies  with  the 
crops.  They  are  peculiarly  adapted  to  light 
and  sandy  soils. 

We  conclude  our  remarks  upon  Nitrogenous 
manures  with  a  table  of  their  comparative  va- 
lues. This  table  is  compiled  from  the  labours 
of  the  distinguished  Savans,  Payen  and  Bous- 
singault. 

The  fifth  column  of  the  table  is  the  most 
useful,  as  it  shows  the  amount  of  Nitrogen 
contained  in  the  dry  manure;  for  it  is  only  in 
their  dry  state,  that  we  can  make  a  comparison 
of  manures. 


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as  to  State. 

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Buckwheat  straw. 

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Jerusalem  Artichoke  stalks. 

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"            "         green  manure  before  seeding, 
Dry  broom,  stem  and  leaves, 
Fanes  of  beets, 
Potato  fanes, 
Carrot, 

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Acacia  «              " 
Box,  leaves  and  branches. 
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NAME, 

Fucus  digitatus  dried  in  the  air, 

Fucus  saccharinus, 

"            "            fresh  from  the  sea, 
Sea-weed,  incinerated, 
Oyster  shells. 

Dried  sea  shells  from  Dunkirk, 
Mud  from  the  river  Morlaix, 
Muck  from  the  roadstead  of  Roscoff; 
Merl,  sea  sand. 
Salt  fish, 

"         washed,  pressed  and  dried  in  the  air, 
Fir  saw-dust, 

Oak  saw-dust, 

White  grains  of  Tuscany  Lupin,  boiled  and  dried, 

Touraillons  of  Barley, 

11 

piuinfj 

*^a 

6 

piniau 

iq5ccc;}owcoocoaocoooo-.-H^c^ 

•Xra 

Nitrogen 
in  100  of 
Material. 

piratif] 

1— io<??ccco3^'^;oi— i^coTji^Citortxi 

t>.  0»  O  CO  O  lO  (>J  C^  C^  S^  O  lO  LO  lO  lO  —  lO 

p-^LC-sradoorriccoorreoood^o  i 

•iiQ 

?o  o  lo  ad  lo  o  Tf  LO  {^J  td  rr  co  o  o  i^i  -^ 

1 
u3;ba\  irano^ 

oj  ec  o  :o  r-'  o  irj  d  CO  o  -^  d  t>:  o  CO  ci  d 

NAME. 

Grape  cake  (exhausted  by  pressure). 

Linseed   "                         " 

Colza  _     «                         " 

Aracliis  "                         " 

Madia     « 

Camelin  "                         *' 

Hempseed  cake  (after  pressure), 

Poppy 

Beechnut        «               « 

Walnut          "                " 

Cottonseed     **               " 

Lcca  of  vegetable  oils  purified  by  Poplar  savv-dust, 

fish  oils 
Apple  cake  (from  cider)  dried  in  the  air. 
Hop  cake, 

Beet  pulp,  dried  in  the  air, 
"         from  the  press, 

ro                            CO      1 

a3 

pioinjj 

Tj<—  ir;—      —                                      OJ  — 

Xjq 

lO                                             1 

s^ 

. 

»0        lO        lO              OOiO        lOO        lO 

^1 

pimnH 

w  — ■  -*  t>;  o  Tj:  o  o  (^J  t>;  c^'  o  !>'  t>:  o  i>:  Lc  ?j  c 

MO^CiXiGO— 'OCOvOXOi^rr-«jriotOC: 

r-4                      C<3         ,— i_(^.CO  —  —  (MLO                CiCC 

•Xjq 

OOiO>.0  3<?C^t^TrC<??^--'<3<3<fCO—              lOt^l 

CiOO}C^C5Ci--.Ci50  —  rrOt^iCO.    S    (Mr^l 

cs 

_^,3,               ^  ,-,  ^  rH  O --  r-i  ^  Svj              C^.- 

til 

i— tC000l>»1O^OjTj<-^lO'-irfCOi-HCOC5C<JiOtoi 

C!  o-^ 

piranu 

OvOCOOCOir:)CO"V<3<0-Oi>CO^^^S^QOO 

dddoo^do66  3<!dd^c^ddc^^ 

■C  i-^     C3 

.  •> 

OLOQOoo---^ooci--o(?ji>aico          ot^ 

2.sS 

•^a 

i^CiOJOJOooocoQOiooJOocooasa  a  ■^•^j 

-^^Cdod-Jr-^'WCOOJC^C^MCCOJCO              rjiw 

LCiOTjtc^oooeocoeot-iTtTtoo^^  ^  lOrf 

•I9)B^ 

pmio^ 

Trcoocidoifioo-^oaiirji-iMd^  ^  oi^ 

Oih.Cr-OOO^QOCOOOi>i>t^aO«5'«1'              r-irr 

1     ^.-^ 

1       il 

Q             .S^ 

'-«                           r^     C                                                                            B 

OS--                                                                  ^ 

^             .5-3                 J?                 « 

1     Jl      ?      r 

Oi         ^r                        3                 o      ^r 

cl 

^           .2                             -Q                     C      -S      1 

•< 

Exhausted  beets,  from  tlie  suga 
Potato  pulp, 
Decanted  potato  juice, 
Wash  waters  from  starch  factor 
Sediment «                « 

Solid  excrements  of  Cows, 
Urine  of  Cows, 
Mixed  excrements  of  Cows, 
Solid  excrements  of  Horses, 
Urine  from  a  Horse  that  drank 
Mixed  excrements  of  Horses, 
of  Hogs, 
«            of  Sheep, 
"             "_         of  Goats, 
Liquid  Flemish  manure,  in  its 

Belloni  Poudrete,  dried  in  the  i 
Montfaucon  Poudrette, 

lO  CO 

*-»     OJ 

CO               ir;  lo               uo           irt           s^  CO 

If 

•piuinH 

c^sor^s^c^coioo-T-ioc^iNoMcoeocoiitics 

lOCC«3^^            QQt^^^^C^^                     „^ 

«  '/2 

■3  2 

•XlQ 

lO                       0  lO  lO  lO             i^       i^  0             0 

rT'/l 

-Hac3oo'ocii>-^  —  adw^co— ■Ttico!>i::   s  -^* 

«     rt 

—      ctcst^      wcos^i-'irioa^-H^,^          _H 

_>.| 

•piuinH 

—  t^i^-H^Ol^rprraOOIC^aOOtCT^COQOJ-J 

CN— :riCOCOOOC^CO^X)OOTrXOiOt^O-' 

p  0 

^                        c^, n                    coco 

lOO                                     l^ 

^i 

•XlQ 

ocod^r>.o?jco  —  r>.aoo-<TS<OLCiitio— ' 

0  CO  0  0  :7J  T  -0  trj  w  0  t^  en  0  -H  CO  ~  cj  c .  c^ 

03 

ct;  —  ^„^^rrc-:cox)-<-^Trr-j>t^t^t-ao 

iOO»Ci'rt<-OOOOOLOCiCiTO'*XllO-H^ 

S"s.^ 

•piuinH 

aoi^oi^co-n;cooTrCi!7JC^c^'>JO  —  c:)J-^lo 

CO  d  r-^  1-^  1-^  s^  00  uo  LO  CO  CO  ri  — ■  CO*  co'  oi  t^"  ^*  'r? 

trog 
100 
ater 

•XiQ 

O-^CDOOOCOCNOLOCOX-HCriCOi.OO               0 

S.sS 

K  CO*  — ■  (>J  c^*  c^'  ci  cc  t>:  10  CO  CO  ad  CO  TT*  10  "  '*  ^>: 

-<(?*■                                             -^                          f-   .-c  r-.                  ,^ 

■ 

OCiCOO— _i-i-OtO^COCOr)«iOOiO'^OOiO 

•idl^JA 

[BUUO^ 

ciy3'^c<i'<3«'c^ocJcc-«'n<'^aoi>od--'-^0}co 

*^ 

J 

i-- 

>^-a 

uJ.S 

•p\                    i 

a  <o  V3                                                       c 

rated  urine, 
urine,  amnion  iacal, 
lized  black,  1 1  months  old, 

"         from  the  fields  near  P 
manure,  called  Dutch  manure,  mad 
lized  manure  plants,  from  Marseille 
bronn  Colombine, 
,  as  imported  into  England, 
sifted, 

as  imported  into  France, 
of  Silk  worms,  5th  period, 

6th     " 
ilis  of  Silk  worms, 

lar  flesh  dried  in  the  air, 
ood  (soluble),  for  exportation, 
blood,  from  the  slaughter  houses, 

"       from  jaded  Horses, 
lated  blood,  as  it  comes  from  the  pr 

Ed 

vapoi 
iquid 
nima 

lack  1 
nima 
cchcl 
uano 

itter 

hrysa 
aybu 
uscu 
ry  bl 
iquid 

oagul 

H-3<;      pq<:pQO          ^      oS^QJ      0| 

II 

piuinH 

•AlQ 

^*^i^  ^  ^^i2§gg^;:E3=^'lg||| 

^1 

03 

p|umH 

c:  *o  Tf<  o  Tf  cc  CO  C3  in  t^  Tj"  00  lo  i:t  Lti  o  »»'  i>-'  0? 
-<OJOG^incor:otccccococoTj<c:  c;ccx)03 
t^cob-coo  —  C5Sc5Tr^t^GO^Tj.i?:cooj  — 

•^a 

Nitrogen 
In  100  of 
Material. 

piUIUR 

Tji  —  j>'  o  o'  o  CO  ^  ^  CO  o  td  o  CO  t-I  Ti< ,-;  p-1  o 

•^ja 

r^  G^  i>          o  kC  cj  oi  ci  r^  00  i>.*  o  o  lo  ^  ^  o  --<  j 

•jajB^  praio^ 

OT}«icooo'0(NJ>t>.oinc^c;?ooo«30J2 
->)  CO  i>:  o  ad  (>j  CO  00  t>;  r>.'  i>  co'  oj  00  —  c;  o  o  C5 

—  UO         CO        TPCO        T5«0»^-^"— '         — <        '- 

1 

te; 

Dried  blood,  insoluble, 

Residue  of  Prussia  blue, 

Bones,  dried  in  the  air. 

Moist  bones, 

Raw  bones,  containing  0.10  of  fat. 

Residua  of  bone  glue, 

"         common  glue. 
Cracklings, 
Animal  black,  from  sugar  refineries,  for  exportation, 

(Parisian), 
Scum  of  the  defecation  of  the  sugar  house  of 
English  black,  blood,  lime  and  soot. 
Feathers, 
Cow  hair. 
Woollen  rags, 
Horn  clippings, 
Coal  soot. 
Wood  soot, 
Picardy  ashes. 
Dunged  peat,  dried  by  heat. 

7* 


(     78     ) 

The  use  of  this  table  will  be  made  evident 
by  a  practical  example  quoted  from  Boussin- 
gault's  "Economie  rurale,"  vol.  2,  p.  149. 

"The  pressed  oil  cakes  (marc  of  oleaginous 
seeds)  are  in  demand  this  year,  (1842)  and  it 
is  desirable  to  know  if  there  is  any  advantage 
in  their  application  to  the  soil  for  the  cultiva- 
tion of  wheat.  The  inference  to  be  drawn, 
and  it  is  otherwise  the  least  favourable,  is  that 
the  wheat  abstracts  from  the  soil  the  whole  of 
its  Nitrogen,  save  that  derived  from  the  at- 
mosphere. In  the  second  place,  let  us  admit 
that  all  the  Nitrogen  of  the  marc  is  appropri- 
ated during  the  culture.  Under  certain  con- 
ditions of  heat  and  moisture,  these  supposi- 
tions may  be  realized.  In  either  case,  the  ac- 
tive matter  left  in  the  soil  exerts  its  influence 
in  the  sequent  years." 

"  Observe  now  the  principles  of  the  ques- 
tion : 

1.  As  an  average,  the  amount  of  Nitrogen 
in  the  Becihelbronn  wheat  is  0.025. 

2.  In  the  straw  of  1S41,  there  is  0.003  Ni- 
trogen. 

3.  The  marc  of  Cameline,  the  use  of  which 
is  proposed,  contains  0.055.  Its  actual  price 
(in  powder)  is  70  cts.  per  100  pounds. 


(     79     ) 

4.  The  ratio  of  the  weight  of  grain  to  that 
of  the  straw  is  ::  47  :  100. 

An  hectolitre  (3  3-10  bushels,)  weighs  175 
pounds.     Its  average  price  is  $3.50. 

The  price  of  straw  per  100  pounds  is  about 
25  cents. 

A  sheaf  of  100  Kilogrammes  (225  pounds,) 
is  composed  of 

Grain,  32  Kilogs,  (  72  lbs.)  containmg  of 

nitrogen,  0^.800  (1.8  lbs.)  of  value  $1,15 
Straw,  68  «  (153  lbs.)  «    0  .189  (0.42  lbs.)    «        0,41 


Total  of  nitrogen,  (2.22  lbs. )  $  1 ,56 

Ok.959  (2.22  lbs.)  are  found  in  the  cameline  cake,  value    29 

Difference        $1,27 

Thus  18  Kilogrammes  (40  lbs.)  of  marc  be- 
coming a  sheaf  of  wheat,  is  augmented  in 
proper  value,  6  fr.  36  c.  (^1.27.)  But  sup- 
posing that  we  realize  but  one  half  or  even  a 
third  of  the  amount  indicated  by  theory,  it 
is  still  evident  that  the  application  of  the  seed 
cake  or  marc  should  be  tried,  and  that  nothing 
should  be  neglected  to  ensure  its  success  as  a 
manure.^' 


(     80 


CHAPTER  XII. 

mineral  manures  or  amendments, 
(ameliorators.) 

Practice  has  preceded  science  in  the  appli- 
cation of  mineral  manures,  for  we  know  not 
yet,  clearly,  what  is  their  mode  of  action,  and 
hence  the  necessity  of  a  careful  study  of  the 
subject. 

Lime.  Lime  is  used  as  a  manure,  both  in 
a  caustic  state  and  as  carbonate.  Magnesian 
lime  is  injurious  to  vegetation,  and  its  use 
should  be  avoided.  Caustic  or  calcined  lime 
is  an  useful  ameliorator,  especially  in  the  cul- 
ture of  the  cereals.  Its  application  to  calca- 
reous lands  is  superfluous.  Quick  lime,  says 
Liebig,  acts  apparently  in  rendering  the 
earthy  substances  assimilable  by  the  plants. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Dunkirk  they  use  fort}^ 
five  bushels  per  acre,  and  the  effect  of  this 
proportion  is  perceptible  for  10  or  12  years. 
The  quantity  recommended  by  Puvis  (4 
bushels  per  acre,  annually^  is  more  than 
sufficient. 

Though  the  lime,  applied  to  the  soil  while 


(  81  ) 
caustic,  readily  becomes  carbonated  under 
the  influence  of  the  carbonic  acid  of  the  atmos- 
phere and  of  the  moisture  of  the  soil,  it  is  bet- 
ter to  hasten  this  neutralization  (in  order  to 
preserve  the  plants  from  the  action  of  the 
caustic  lime,)  by  distributing  it  over  the  sur- 
face as  uniformly  as  possible. 

Marl.  Marl  owes  its  power  as  a  manure 
to  its  calcareous  matter,  and  marling  therefore 
isanalagous  to  liming.  Argillaceous  marl  acts 
by  reason  of  both  its  lime  and  clay,  and  hence 
is  very  appropriate  for  sandy  soils  where  the 
clay,  it  contains,  acts  mechanically.  Very 
probably,  marl  may  also  operate  as  a  nitroge- 
nous manure,  as  Payen  and  Boussingault  have 
found  organic  matter  in  many  marly  sub- 
stances. 

As  the  plants  remove  the  lime  from  the 
soil,  it  is  evident  that  the  action  of  one  marl- 
ing is  not  illimitable.  Three  and  a  half  bush- 
els are  the  usual  proportion,  and,  by  compa- 
ring its  composition  with  that  of  the  plants^ 
it  will  be  readily  seen  that  this  amount  is  suf- 
ficient 

Wood  ashes.  Notwithstanding  the  good 
efifects  of  this  manure,  it  is  but  little  used  in 
agriculture,  because  of  its  great  value  as  mate- 


{     82     ) 
rial  for  the  extraction  of  potassa.     In  England, 
ashes  are  preferred  for  gravelly  soils,  and  ap- 
plied every  spring  in  the  proportion  of  forty 
bushels  per  acre. 

Leeched  ashes.  The  refuse  ashes  from  the 
ley  vats  of  soap  factories  yet  retain,  besides 
the  soluble  salts  which  escaped  lixiviation, 
carbonate  of  lime  resulting  from  the  caustifi- 
cation  of  the  carbonate  of  potassa  and  insolu- 
ble salts,  such  as  the  phosphates,  sulphates 
and  carbonates,  with  a  little  silica.  In  the 
proportion  of  60  to  80  bushels  per  acre,  they 
extend  their  fertilizing  eJQfects  through  ten 
years. 

Peat  ashes.  These  ashes  are  of  advanta- 
geous application  in  agriculture.  They  con- 
tain lime,  sulphate  of  lime,  alkaline  chloride, 
carbonates  and  sulphates,  gelatinous  silex  and 
calcined  clay.  Their  precise  composition, 
however,  varies  with  that  of  the  peat,  and 
consequently  they  are  not  always  uniform  in 
their  effects.  Generally,  they  are  an  excellent 
substitute  for  plaster.  The  ashfes  of  the  pyri- 
tous  turfs  contain  sulphate  of  iron  generated 
by  the  action  of  the  atmosphere  upon  its  sul- 
phuret,  and  hence  are  injurious  to  vegetation. 
Good  ashes  are  white  and  light,  and,  in  a  dry 


(     83     ) 

State,  are  not  of  greater  weight  than  forty- 
pounds  per  bushel.  The  proportion  per  acre 
is  eleven  bushels. 

Coal  a^hes.  Excepting  that  the  quantity 
of  alkaline  salts  are  in  less  proportion,  the 
coal  ashes  are  similar,  in  mineral  constitution, 
to  those  of  peat.  They  are  suitable  for  argil- 
laceous soils,  the  tenacity  of  which  they  di- 
minish. 

Alkaline  salts,  as  has  been  confirmed,  are 
favourable  to  vegetation  ;  and  certain  crops 
even  require  a  special  alkali. 

Nitrate  of  Potassa.  Salt-petre  in  small 
quantities  acts  very  energetically,  and  is  espe- 
cially beneficial  to  the  cereals,  the  leguminous, 
and  to  buckwheat.  The  high  price  limits  its 
use,  but  it  can  be  very  well  replaced  by  the 
cubic  Nitre,  (Nitrate  of  soda,)  which  comes 
from  Peru  and  is  sold  much  cheaper. 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  {Cubic  Nitre.)  To  ren- 
der its  efiects  certain,  it  should  be  mixed  with 
an  organic  manure.  The  proportion  is  112 
pounds  per  acre,  and  to  insure  success  the 
soil  must  also  be  treated  with  a  nitrogenous 
manure. 

Common  salt.  Salt  promotes  the  growth 
of  barley,  wheat,   luzern  and  flaxseed,    and 


(     84     ) 

should  be  applied  to  the  amount  of  150  to  300 
pounds  per  acre.  Chloride  of  Calcium  and 
Sulphate  of  Soda,  used  in  small  quantities, 
afford  similar  results. 

Plaster.  Sulphate  of  lime  (Gypsum,)  is 
one  of  the  most  useful  mineral  manures.  It 
is  specially  adapted  to  artificial  meadows  of 
clover,  lucern  and  fcenugreck.  Upon  the  ce- 
reals it  has  no  effect,  and  but  little  more  upon 
the  hoed  crops  and  natural  meadows.  It 
should  be  powdered  and  spread  in  the  spring, 
when  the  crops  have  acquired  a  certain  growth, 
and  during  the  morning,  so  that  it  may  adhere 
to  the  leaves  whilst  still  wet  with  dew.  Raw 
plaster  is  as  good  as  the  calcined,  though  the 
latter  has  the  advantage  of  being  more  easily 
powdered.  The  pro])ortion,  per  acre,  is  200 
to  2000  pounds.  Plaster  is  absorbed  by  the 
plants  especially  those  of  rapid  growth,  and 
it  is  presumed  that  its  beneficial  action  results 
from  the  lime  which  it  furnishes  to  the  soil. 

Ammoiiiacal  Salts.  Schattenman  ha? 
found,  that  solutions  of  ammoniacal  salts  of 
one  degree  strength,  (Baume's  hydrometer,; 
and  in  the  proportion  of  one  and  half  gallons 
to  10  square  feet  of  surface,  afford  very  satis- 
factory results  upon  meadow,  wheat,  oat  and 


{  85  ) 
barley  fields.  These  solutions  have  no  effect 
upon  lucerii  and  clover,  but  are  beneficial  to 
the  natural  meadows,  when  distributed  over 
as  soon  as  vegetation  becomes  active.  Thus, 
for  example,  Schattenman  harvested  from 
120  square  yards  of  high  and  dry  meadow, 
irrigated  in  proportion  as  above  mentioned, 
two  hundred  pounds  of  grass,  while  the  same 
extent  of  untreated  land,  by  the  side  of  the 
ammoniated  plat,  gave  only  115  pounds. 

Tolly  has  observed,  that  the  hydrosulphate 
of  ammonia,  diluted  with  water,  promotes  the 
growth  of  pot-herbs.  Yet  notwithstanding 
these  positive  experiments  of  the  above  Sa- 
vans,  Bouchardat  declares  that  ammoniacal 
salts  even  in  very  weak  liquor  are  prejudicial 
to  vegetation. 

According  to  some  experiments  of  Bous- 
singault,  it  appears,  that  ammoniacal  salts 
convey  Nitrogen  to  the  plants,  though  they 
enter  as  carbonate;  the  sulphate,  muriate, 
and  other  salts  of  ammonia  being  decomposed 
by  the  carbonate  of  lime  put  within  the  soil; 
as  it  is  well  known,  whenever  there  is  a 
junction  of  two  salts  in  powders,  in  presence 
of  the  exact  quantity  of  water  necessary  to 
their  reaction  without  dissolving  the  products, 
8 


(      86      ) 

the  volatile  compound  of  those  that  are  formed 
is  disengaged.  It  is  this  reaction  which  takes 
place  in  the  soil.  The  contrary  behaviour  is 
exemplified,  by  pouring  together  solutions  of 
sulphate  of  lime  and  carbonate  of  ammonia  ; 
double  decomposition  ensues,  and  the  in- 
soluble carbonate  of  lime  is  formed  and  pre- 
cipitates. 

Water.  Water  is  indispensable  to  the  ex- 
istence of  plants.  It  acts  both  in  facilitating 
the  reactions  occurring  in  the  soil,  and  as  an 
organic  and  mineral  manure.  The  rain  which 
falls  during  a  storm  contains,  as  Liebig  has 
proved,  nitrate  of  lime  and  ammonia.  Ordi- 
nary rain  contains  but  little  more  than  traces 
of  common  salt,  though  in  both  instances  it 
carries  down  all  the  organic  matters  which  it 
meets,  as  dusty  particles,  suspended  in  the 
air. 

River  water,  and  spring  or  fountain  water, 
are  both  used  for  irrigation,  but  the  two  latter 
contain  much  larger  quantities  of  saline  mat- 
ters. These  salts,  very  variable  in  their  na- 
ture, are  derived  from  the  soil  over  whicl. 
these  waters  flow. 

That  water  which  is  richest  in  alkaline  salts 
is  most  preferable  for  the  irrigation   of  lands. 


(     87     ) 

and  also  for  the  watering  of  cattle,  provided 
it  does  not  contain  enough  to  impair  its  pota- 
bility. 

Boussingault  found  that  the  waters,  used  for 
watering  the  cattle  atBechelbronn,  introduced, 
annually,  into  the  dung  more  than  two  hun- 
dred pounds  of  alkaline  salts. 

Note. — There  is  an  omission  in  the  preceding  Chapter,  of 
two  important  fertilizing  agents,  Gas  Lime  and  Green  Sand. 

Gas  Lime.  The  refuse  lime  from  the  Gas  Works,  though 
containing  much  Sulphuretted  Salt,  is  rich  in  uncombined  lime, 
and  consetiuently  is  an  effectual  manure  when  used  judiciously. 
When  spread  upon  the  soil  it  becomes  decomposed,  and  gra- 
dually trzinsformed  into  sulphate  of  lime,  (gypsum).  It  is  said 
to  be  an  excellent  addition  to  land,  technically  termed,  "clover 
tired ;"  and,  also  a  good  preventive  of  noxious  grubs  and  in- 
sects. Care  must  be  taken  in  applying  it  to  the  land  to  prevent 
immediate  contact  with  the  seed 

Green  Sand.  This  Manure,  now  largely  used  in  Agricul- 
ture, produces  a  remarkable  effect  upon  crops,  which  is  due  to 
its  content  of  potassa,  lime  and  phosphates.  The  proportion  per 
acre  varies  from  30  to  300  bushels.  For  full  particulars,  see 
"  Encyclopaedia  of  Chemistry, ^^  and  "  Booth's  Report  upon 
The  Geology  of  Delaware." 


(     89      ) 


APPENDIX. 

DISINFECTION. 

In  order  to  permanently  deodorize  the  fae- 
cal matters  and  urines,  it  is  necessary  to  pre- 
vent their  putrefaction,  by  incorporating  them 
with  substances  which  will  neutralize  or  ab- 
sorb the  volatile  and  odorant  products  of  de- 
composition, as  fast  as  they  may  be  generated. 

In  urine  there  are  small  quantities  of  lac- 
tate, urate  and  phosphate  of  ammonia,  a  lar- 
ger proportion  of  urea,  some  sulphur  (accord- 
ing to  Proust,)  and  undefined  animal  matters. 
The  faecal  matters  consist  chiefly  of  vegetable 
and  animal  debris,  in  which  there  is  necessa- 
rily an  appreciable  quantity  of  sulphur.  Now, 
urine  decomposes  at  a  moderate  temperature, 
and  is  transformed  into  carbonate  of  ammo- 
nia; the  sulphur  seizes  upon  the  H3^drogen 
of  the  organic  matters  in  a  state  of  decay,  and 
forms  sulphuretted  hydrogen.  It  is  therefore 
the  Hydrosulphate  and  carbonate  of  ammonia 


(     90     ) 
which  chiefly  constitute  the  fetid  gasesarising 
from  privies. 

To  absorb  and  neutralize  these  vapors,  re- 
course must  be  had  to  neutral  or  only  slightly 
acid  metallic  salts,  of  which,  the  cheapest  and 
most  abundant  is  the  sulphate  of  the  protoxide 
of  iron  or  common  green  vitriol  of  the  shops. 
(If  it  should  be  too  acid,  neutrality  can  be 
readily  obtained,  by  adding,  to  the  solution  of 
the  salt,  a  little  quick  or  slacked  lime  in  pow- 
der.) In  fact  a  double  decomposition  ensues, 
producing  sulphate  of  ammonia  and  sulphuret 
and  carbonate  of  iron.  A  certain  proportion 
of  plaster  (sulphate  of  lime,)  may  be  added  to 
the  sulphate  of  iron  ;  it  decomposes  the  car- 
bonate of  ammonia  more  readily  and  com- 
pletely than  the  hydrosulphate  ;  a  little  char- 
coal dust  is  also  an  useful  addition  for  the  ab- 
sorption of  the  other  peculiar  odors  (inde- 
pendent of  the  volatile  ammoniacal  salts,) 
which  are  emitted. 

This  mixture  can  be  applied  to  the  sinks, 
either  in  dry  powder  or  thinned  with  water. 
Perhaps  it  is  preferable  to  use  it  in  solution, 
the  soluble  portion  by  all  means,  for  more  or 
less  of  the  powder  reaches  the  bottom  of  the 
sink  before  being  dissolved,  and  hence  a  par- 


(  91  ) 
tial  loss  of  its  efficacy.  In  dwellings  of  seve- 
ral stories,  it  will  be  well  to  introduce  the 
dissolved  or  thinned  substances,  through  the 
opening  in  the  conduit-pipe  of  the  upper 
story,  so  that  the  preservative  may  act  upon 
the  matters  remaining  in  the  pipe,  and  by 
the  decomposition  of  which-,  offensive  vapors 
would  be  generated. 

The  efficacy  of  sulphate  of  iron,  as  a  disin- 
fectant of  urine  and  faecal  matters,  has  been 
shown  by  Mallet  in  the  following  experi- 
ment. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  1844,  he  added  to 
the  urine,  of  eighteen  hours,  at  most,  from 
different  individuals^  -^^th  of  a  solution  of  sul- 
phate of  iron,  making  27^  by  Baume^s  hydro- 
meter, and  left  the  mixture  in  a  room  of  tem- 
perature from  55'^  to  60°  F.  Upon  the  11th 
of  December,  the  mixture  emitted  no  odor, 
whilst  the  same  urine,  alone  and  untreated, 
under  the  same  circumstances,  exhaled  in  six 
days  an  insupportable  stench. 

The  transformation  of  theureainto  carbon- 
ate of  ammonia  had  taken  place,  for  the  mix- 
ture, upon  the  addition  of  quick  lime,  in  the 
cold,  gave  a  strong  smell  of  ammonia. 

By  reference  to   the  proceedings  of  the 


(     92     ) 

academy  of  arts  and  sciences,  at  Digon,  for 
1767,  it  will  be  seen  that  sulphate  of  iron  was 
known  and  recommended  as  an  antiseptic, 
long  anterior  to  the  present  time.  Knowing, 
therefore,  the  means,  it  becomes  necessary  to 
have  a  knowledge  also  of  the  methods  of  dis- 
infection, and  so  we  proceed  to  speak  of  those 
most  applicable  to  the  purpose. 

Siret  of  Meaux  was  the  pioneer  in  this  im- 
portant work,  so  full  of  interest  and  profit  to 
the  public.  His  experiments  were  under  the 
authority  of  Payen,  Boussingault  and  Gas- 
parin,  a  committee  of  the  French  academy  of 
sciences.  According  to  Siret's  successful  re- 
sults, 15  to  IS  grammes  (4  to  5  drams,)  of 
his  powder  (consisting  of  sulphate  of  iron? 
lime,  pit  coal,  pitch,  charcoal  and  quick  lime,) 
are  sufficient  to  disinfect  and  prevent  the  pu- 
trefaction of  the  daily  amount  of  excrements 
of  each  individual.  *The  per  diem  expense 
of  this  disinfecting  powder  is  an  §  centime,and 
the  success  of  its  application  is  dependent 
upon  the  regularity  with  which  the  prescribed 


*  The  solid  and  liquid  excrements  of  a  man  equal  daily 
27  ounces,  or  about  620  pounds  annually,  and  they  contain  3 
per  cent  of  Nitrogen. 


(      93     ) 

quantity  is  each  day  introduced  into  the  privy 
well. 

Suquet,  Kraft  and  Schattenmann,  (Direc- 
tors of  the  mines  at  Bouxvillers,)  have  con- 
tributed much  valuable  information,  but  this 
mode,  permanent  and  preventive,  is  so  far 
preferable  to  disinfecting  at  the  time  of  clear- 
ing the  wells,  that  it  entirely  dissipates  the 
repulsive  and  disagreeable  odor  which  so  fre- 
quently infects  the  apartments  of  a  dwelling  ; 
and  furthermore,  also,  because  of  the  difficulty 
in  perfecting  the  disinfection  at  the  time  of 
emptying,  for  in  stirring  the  materials,  the 
deposition  of  the  solid  portions  of  the  matter 
in  a  compact  mass  presents  an  impediment  to 
their  thorough  incorporation.  Still,  however, 
disinfection  at  the  moment  of  clearing  is  not 
impracticable.  When  you  operate  at  the  time 
of  emptying  the  sinks,  the  sulphate  of  iron 
must  be  perfectly  neutral,  for  the  excess  of 
acid  in  the  green  vitriol  of  commerce  suf- 
fices to  generate  hydrosulphuric  and  carbonic 
acids  by  the  decomposition  of  the  hydrosul- 
phate  and  carbonate  of  ammonia.  The  hy- 
drosulphuric acid  gas  is  however  the  most  de- 
leterious of  the  disengaged  gases. 

Faecal   matters  are   not  uniform   in   their 


(     94     ) 

richness  in  ammonia,  and  therefore  the  pro- 
portion of  sulphate  of  iron  must  vary  with  the 
proportion  of  ammonia  ;  generally  speaking, 
however,  according  to  Schattenmann,  5  to  7 
]  bs.  suffice  to  saturate  25  gallons  putrid  matters. 
The  period  of  saturation  can  be  readily  ascer- 
tained by  adding  a  drop  of  the  solution  of  red 
prussiate  of  potassa  to  one  of  the  liquor;  as 
soon  as  there  is  an  excess  of  copperas,  (iron 
salt,)  Prussian  blue  is  formed,  and  this  is  a 
certain  sign  that  the  jnatters  are  saturated, 
and  that  there  is  an  excess  of  sulphate  of  iron. 

The  disinfecting  liquor  is  poured  into  the 
privy  wells  through  the  openings,  by  which 
they  are  emptied,  and  well  incorporated  by 
thorough  stirring. 

Schattenmann  very  properly  recommends 
that  neither  vegetable  debris,  or  meat,  or  fish 
be  thrown  into  the  sinks,  as  their  putrefaction 
generates  a  peculiar  infectious  odor  difficultly 
neutralized  by  metallic  salts. 

The  disinfection  of  privy  wells  by  sulphate 
of  iron  or  other  metallic  salts,  has  the  double 
advantage  of  contributing  to  the  public  health, 
and  of  securing  to  their  contents,  all  its  value 
and  force  as  a  manure  by  reason  of  the  ammo- 
nia which  it  contains.     In  fact,  the  ammonia- 


(     95     ) 

cal  salts  contained  in  the  faecal  juices  are  very 
volatile,  and  readily  vaporizable,  either  when 
the  liquors  are  spread  upon  the  soil  as  manure, 
or  when  kept  in  loosely  closed  reservoirs  be- 
fore being  used.  The  sulphate  of  ammonia, 
on  the  contrary,  is  fixed,  and  hence  the  ma- 
nure is,  without  exaggeration,  not  only  aug- 
mented in  value  but  rendered  so  that  it  can 
be  preserved  indefinitely. 

Human  excrements,  urine  and  solid  matters, 
by  reason  of  the  variety  of  salts,  and  especi- 
ally of  the  ammonia  and  other  nitrogenous  sub- 
stances, as  also  the  phosphates  which  they  con- 
tain, are  an  abundant  source  of  manure,  merit- 
ing more  attention  than  has  yet  been  given. 
In  many  countries  they  experience  the  bene- 
fits of  its  use  but  partially,  because  of  their 
neglect  to  fix  the  volatile  ammoniacal  salts  ; 
in  others  they  discard  the  use  of  urines  alto- 
gether, and  let  them  flow  to  waste  as  so  much 
useless  material  ;  whilst  in  some  places  again, 
they  neglect  the  urines  and  solid  matters  and 
pay  no  attention  to  their  collection.  This  in- 
difference, especially  in  large  cities,  deserves 
to  be  seriously  censured.  In  Paris  they  use 
about  one-third  of  the  urines  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  sulphate  of  ammonia;  the  other  two- 


(     96     ) 
thirds  after  having  remained  at  least  a  year 
in  the  reservoirs,  are  run  off  into  the  Seine. 

We  have  said  that  the  excrements  of  a  man 
for  one  year  contain  about  20  pounds  of  Ni- 
trogen, a  sufficient  quantity,  says  Boussin- 
gault,  for  the  growth  of  900  pounds  of  wheat, 
rye  oroats,  or  for  1000  pounds  of  barley.  That 
is  to  say,  these  excrements  can  fertilize  a  field 
of  250  square  yards,  with  an  assurance  of  an 
abundant  crop. 

The  utilization  of  the  total  product  of  hu- 
man excrements,  of  wood  and  peat  ashes,  of 
vegetable  and  animal  matters,  would  wholly 
or  at  least  partially  supersede  the  use  of  barn 
yard  dung.  This  result  would  enable  the  far- 
mer to  dispense  with  a  portion  of  cattle  in 
those  localities  where  forage  is  scarce,  or  the 
soil  is  more  profitable  for  the  growth  of  food 
for  a  numerous  population. 

Schattenmann  has  very  properly  insisted 
upon  the  value  of  the  phosphates  contained 
in  the  human  excrements,  for  they  certainly 
play  a  most  important  part  in  vegetation. 

According  to  Schattenmann,  an  half  gallon 
of  matters,  disinfected  and  saturated  with  sul- 
phate of  iron,  making  2°  Baume's  hydrome- 
ter suffice  to  manure   3h  square  feet  of  mea- 


(     97     ) 

dow,  and  a  quart  only,  for  the  same'surface  of 
wheat,  barley  or  oats.  A  greater  quantity 
upon  cereals  renders  their  growth  too  vigo- 
rous, and  increases  the  amount  of  straw  at  the 
expense  of  the  grain. 

Faecal  matters  are  of  no  benefit  to  clover 
or  lucern,  but  upon  hemp,  tobacco,  flaxseed 
and  pot-herbs,  they  are  an  advantageous  ma- 
nure. 

The  disinfected  urines  are  also  available  in 
the  manufacture  of  ammoniacal  products.  By 
treating  them  with  quick  lime,  and  heating 
the  mixture,  the  ammonia  is  eliminated. 

There  are  other  processes  for  the  disinfec- 
tion of  faecal  matters  which  have  been  proven 
more  or  less  successful. 

In  1835,  Salmon  suggested  the  application 
of  charcoal  dust  to  the  cleanings  of  the  privy 
wells  as  serviceable,  particularly,  in  the  disin- 
fection of  the  solid  portions.  Before  giving 
the  process,  let  us  premise  that  previous  to 
this  time  Salmon  had  already  manufactured  a 
disinfecting  powder  by  the  calcination,  in 
cast  iron  cylinders,  of  river  and  pond  mud 
or  mire,  which  generally  contain  organic  mat- 
ters enough  to  form  a  highly  absorbent  disin- 
9 


(  98  ) 
fectant  powder.  All  similar  matters,  contain- 
ing carbon  and  organic  matters,  such  as  the 
debris  of  peat,  wood,  saw-dust,  tan  and  the 
like,  are  perhaps  equally  appropriate  to  this 
purpose. 

A  mixture  of  an  argillaceous  earth,  with  a 
tenth  of  its  weight  of  some  organic  matter, 
faecal  matters  for  instance,  after  being  calcined 
and  crushed  between  channelled  rollers  and 
bolted,  is  a  very  suitable  disinfectant. 

Salmon  used  this  powder  with  success  in 
disinfecting  the  faecal  matters  of  privies, 
which  by  admixture  therewith  became  pul- 
verulent, and  consequently  of  easy  removal. 
The  proportions  are  25  gallons  of  powder 
to  25  gallons  of  faecal  matters.  As  soon  as 
the  incorporation  is  completed,  all  disagreea- 
ble odor  disappears  and  the  organic  matter  is 
transformed  into  a  very  energetic  manure, 
and  with  the  great  advantage  of  being  nearly 
dry,  pulverulent  and  of  easy  transportation. 
This  process  was  not  applied  by  the  inventor 
to  the  disinfection  of  the  faecal  juices. 

Derosnes's  process  of  disinfection  consists  in 
the  immediate  separation,  in  the  sinks,  of  the 
solid  from  the  liquid  portion  ;  in  adding,  at 
each  visit  to  the  privy,  a  disinfecting  powder 


(  99  ) 
analagous  to  that  of  Salmon's,  and  also  in  pre- 
venting the  putrefaction  of  the  urines,  by  ad- 
ding a  solution  of  chloride  of  lime  or  very  di- 
lute sulphuric  acid.  The  faecal  matters  thus 
disinfected  were  then  treated  and  rendered 
into  proper  manure. 

We  must  yet  mention  the  process  of  Hu- 
guin  and  Co.  Their  system  is  to  separate 
the  solid  from  the  liquid  portion  by  suitable 
apparatus  and  to  disinfect  the  first  and  secure 
the  latter  against  putrefaction.  The  separa- 
ting apparatus  consists  of  two  cylinders,  the 
diameters  of  which  differ  an  inch  or  two. 
One  is  placed  in  the  other ;  the  interior  cy- 
linder being  cullendered  at  the  bottom  and 
throughout  its  circumference,  retains  the  solid 
matters,  whilst  the  liquid  portion  drains 
through  the  holes  into  the  space  between  the 
cylinders,  and  collects  at  the  bottom  of  the 
exterior  vessel,  whence itis  conducted  through 
a  galvanized  iron  conduit,  into  a  reservoir. 

The  pipe  through  which  the  excrements 
enter,  is  fitted  to  the  inner  cylinder  by 
means  of  a  coupling  screw,  and  is  removed 
when  the  apparatus  is  about  to  be  emptied. 
The  reservoir  which  receives  the  faecal  juices 
is  of  oak  wood,  lead  lined,  or  if  more  conve- 


(     100     ) 

nient,  of  stone.  It  is  emptied  by  means  of  a 
portable  double  acting  pump,  to  which  is  fit- 
ted a  pipe  for  conveying  the  juices  to  a  cask 
fixed  upon  a  cart  for  transportation.  In  the 
covers  of  the  reservoir  is  a  man-hole  which  is 
covered  by  an  iron  lid  and  fastened  by  an  iron 
bar  and  padlock.  Previous  to  removing  the 
juices  from  the  reservoir  (the  capacity  of 
which  is  generally  about  six  hundred  gallons,) 
add  in,  forthwith,  the  disinfecting  liquor,  for 
instance,  sulphate  of  iron,  and  stir  for  some 
time  until  its  incorporation  is  completed.  The 
juices  are  then  drawn  oflf  through  the  same 
hole  as  above,  by  means  of  a  pump  which  will 
remove  about  five  hundred  gallons  per  hour. 
The  solid  matters  are  converted  into  poudrette 
by  admixture,  either  with  a  secret  powder 
of  H.  &  Co.,  or  else  with  that  of  Salmon, 
which  dries  and  disinfects  them  simulta- 
neously. 


FINIS. 


U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


CDE73E0l3t,b 


iiiil 


m 


